USS HALYBURTON ASSISTS SEARCH AND RESCUE OF CRASHED PANAMANIAN HELICOPTER SURVIVORS

FROM:  U.S. NAVY 

140115-N-KG407-411 ATLANTIC OCEAN (JAN. 15, 2014) An MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter assigned to the Grandmasters of Helicopter Maritime Squadron (HSM) 46 lands aboard the guided-missile frigate USS Halyburton (FFG 40). A detachment from HSM-46 is deploying with Halyburton to the U.S. 4th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Kameren Guy Hodnett/Released)

USS Halyburton Assists in Rescue of Panamanian Crashed Helicopter
Story Number: NNS140206-15 Release Date:  2/6/2014 6:18:00 PM 
By Lt. Mark Day, USS Halyburton Public Affairs

CARIBBEAN SEA (NNS) -- A Panamanian helicopter crashed killing one and injuring eight while working together with USS Halyburton (FFG 40) conducting operations in support of Operation Martillo in the 4th Fleet area of operations, Feb. 6.

The names of the victims will not be released until after notification of the next of kin and released by the Panamanian authorities. There were no U.S. service members or personnel hurt in this incident.

The Panamanian helicopter, a Bell 412, had arrived in the vicinity of the beached small craft and assumed monitoring activities from the U.S. helicopter when it crashed with nine people onboard.

The Halyburton, a guided-missile frigate, immediately assumed the role of search and rescue on-scene commander. While Cutlass 466, the MH-60R attached to the Halyburton from Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 46, returned to the area to begin search and rescue operations.

Halyburton's helicopter Cutlass 466 transported six of the wounded to a hospital in Panama, while Panamanian forces rescued and are transporting the other two survivors.

Halyburton is currently deployed in the Caribbean Sea conducting counter illicit trafficking operations in support of Operation Martillo.

Operation Martillo targets illicit trafficking routes in coastal waters along the Central American isthmus, and is an international, interagency operation which includes the participation of 14 countries committed to a regional approach against transnational criminal organizations moving illicit cargo.

This deployment is Halyburton's last deployment in her 30-year career, as she is scheduled to decommission later this year. Her keel was laid Sept. 26, 1980 and she was commissioned Jan. 7, 1984. She is named for Petty Officer 2nd Class William David Halyburton, a pharmacist's mate, who was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for extraordinary heroism, May 10, 1945, while serving with the Marine Rifle Company, Second Battalion, Fifth Marines, First Marine Division on Okinawa.

U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command and U.S. 4th Fleet supports U.S. Southern Command's joint and combined military operations by employing maritime forces in cooperative maritime security operations in order to maintain access, enhance interoperability, and build enduring partnerships in order to enhance regional security and promote peace, stability, and prosperity in the Caribbean, Central and South American regions.

USS GARY STOPS $22 MILLION COCAINE SHIPMENT

130104-N-ZZ999-001 U.S. 4TH FLEET AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY (Jan. 4, 2013) Approximately 600 pounds of cocaine with an estimated street value of $22 million was confiscated by the U.S. Coast Guard team aboard the guided-missile frigate USS Gary (FFG 51) after an interdiction while conducting Operation Martillo in the U.S. 4th Fleet area of responsibility in Central and South America. Operation Martillo, Spanish for hammer, is a U.S., European and Western Hemisphere partner nation effort targeting illicit trafficking routes in coastal waters along the Central American isthmus. (U.S. Navy photo/Released)

FROM: U.S. NAVY

USS Gary Seizes $22 Million of Narcotics During Operation Martillo, Sinks Drug Boat

USS GARY, At Sea (NNS) -- The Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigate USS Gary (FFG 51) and its embarked U.S. Coast Guard team leveraged the capabilities of partner nations and the interagency to intercept a small drug trafficking vessel and confiscated more than 600 pounds of cocaine while on patrol in U.S. 4th Fleet while conducting Operation Martillo Jan. 4.

The estimated street value of the seizure is approximately $22 million.

"This was one of those vessels we were chasing in the dark," said USS Gary's embarked Naval Criminal Investigative Service Agent, Leatrice Daniels. "There was great open communication with everybody involved. Everything just flowed, from pursuit to initial contact and boarding."

Shortly after the intercept and search of the drug vessel and its contents, the ship was deemed a hazard to navigation and subsequently sunk. This case concluded a week in which the Gary's crew successfully boarded three vessels and disrupted the smuggling of more than 2,000 pounds of cocaine destined for the United States worth an estimated street value of $272 million.

Gary is homeported in San Diego and is currently deployed to Central and South America in support of Operation Martillo and U.S. 4th Fleet's mission, Southern Seas 2012.

Operation Martillo - Spanish for "hammer"- is a U.S., European and Western Hemisphere partner nation effort targeting illicit trafficking routes in coastal waters along the Central American isthmus. U.S. military participation is being led by Joint Interagency Task Force South.

Operation Martillo is part of the U.S. government's coordinated regional security strategy in support of the White House strategy to combat transnational organized crime and the U.S. Central America Security Initiative.

Fourteen countries are participating: Canada, Belize, Colombia, Costa Rica, El Salvador, France, Guatemala, Honduras, the Netherlands, Nicaragua, Panama, Spain, the United Kingdom and the United States.

USS CAR ARRIVED IN COLOMBIA DURING DEPLOYMENT SUPPORTING OPERATION MARTILLO

FROM:  U.S. NAVY
120619-N-ZZ999-005 PACIFIC OCEAN (June 19, 2012) Suspected drug smugglers raise their hands above their heads after the engines of their fleeing boat were disabled by a U.S. Coast Guard gunner firing from a helicopter deployed from the guided-missile frigate USS Nicholas (FFG 47). Nicholas, with an embarked U.S. Coast Guard law enforcement detachment, was on patrol in the region as part of Operation Martillo, a U.S., European, and western hemisphere partner nation effort targeting illicit trafficking routes in coastal waters along the Central American isthmus. (U.S. Navy photo/Released) 


USS Carr Visits Santa Marta, Colombia 
By Ensign Joshua J. Stewart, USS Carr Public Affairs
SANTA MARTA, Colombia (NNS) -- The guided missile frigate USS Carr (FFG 52) arrived in Santa Marta, Colombia, for their first Caribbean port visit, June 28, during their deployment in support of Operation Martillo.

Carr visited Santa Marta following a month at sea conducting operations to counter transnational organized crime (CTOC) in the U.S. 4th Fleet (C4F) area of responsibility in support of Operation Martillo.

Carr Sailors took advantage of the opportunity to visit historic areas and experience the culture of Colombia's oldest city.

"This was an excellent opportunity for Carr's Sailors to experience Colombia's rich culture. My group spent time walking around the city to see the historic buildings and many statues as well as enjoy the local food," said Quartermaster 3rd Class David Blancoventura.

Visiting another country can be a rewarding and educational experience. Learning the cultural differences and history plays a major role for Sailors visiting other countries.

"Port visits aren't just about taking some time off to unwind; they also provide an opportunity to learn more about other cultures and history. We used this as an opportunity to learn more about Simon Bolivar and United Fruit's role in the development of Colombia," said Cmdr. Patrick Kulakowski, Carr commanding officer.

Carr is homeported in Norfolk, Va., and is currently deployed in support of Operation Martillo, under operational control to U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command and C4F (COMUSNAVSO/C4F) while conducting CTOC operations in support of Joint Interagency Task Force - South, U.S. Southern Command (USSOUTHCOM), and U.S. Coast Guard District Seven.

Operation Martillo (Spanish for 'hammer') is a U.S., European, and Western Hemisphere partner nation effort targeting illicit trafficking routes in coastal waters along the Central American isthmus. U.S. military participation is being led by Joint Interagency Task Force-South, a component of USSOUTHCOM. Operation Martillo is a component of the U.S. government's coordinated interagency regional security strategy in support of the White House strategy to combat transnational organized crime and the U.S. Central America Regional Security Initiative.

COMUSNAVSO/C4F supports USSOUTHCOM joint and combined full-spectrum military operations by providing principally sea-based, forward presence to ensure freedom of maneuver in the maritime domain, to foster and sustain cooperative relationships with international partners and to fully exploit the sea as maneuver space in order to enhance regional security and promote peace, stability, and prosperity in the Caribbean, Central and South American regions.