VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. - Command of patrol coastal ships USS Tempest (PC 2) and USS Monsoon (PC 4) was returned to the U.S. Navy from the U.S. Coast Guard during a ceremony held at Naval Amphibious Base Little Creek Aug. 22.
Tempest has been on loan to the Coast Guard since December 2005, and Monsoon was on loan since October 2004. Both ships were transferred back to naval control during a ceremony that exemplified the interoperability of the two services.
"The Navy and the Coast Guard have a great working relationship," said Cmdr. Stephen Coughlin, commander, Patrol Coastal Squadron. "We're really in the same business, and it's an honor to work with people this professional."
During the time with the Coast Guard, both ships traveled more than 160,000 nautical miles and spent more than 700 days underway in support of counter drug, illegal alien migration interdiction and coastal security. These operations resulted in the successful seizure of 1,700 pounds of cocaine and the interdiction of more than 500 illegal immigrants.
"This very strong bond that the Navy and Coast Guard shares goes back hundreds of years; it's something we cherish," said Coast Guard Capt. Norman Custard. "The use of these ships has immensely helped us achieve our missions to ensure homeland security."
The two ships will be utilized by the Navy as training platforms to get crews ready for operating PCs overseas in support of Maritime Security Operations. Currently, there are several PCs forward deployed to the Middle East operating in infrastructure protection missions.
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