"The crew of Frederick Hatch stands among the finest Fast Response Cutter teams I have led," said Lt. Cmdr. Vaughn Gehman, commanding officer. "They continue to deliver reliable, safe operations across the Pacific. Their resilience and skill in extended operations are an inspiration for continued service afloat."
The cutter departed Guam on Feb. 24 and is the third Guam-based Fast Response Cutter to complete the significant systems overhaul. Crews and contractors restored full mission capability through a $4.5 million drydock addressing required maintenance and a major engineering upgrade. The vessel also onloaded $750,000 in unit gear and steamed over 7,970 nautical miles.
En route to Hawai'i, the crew turned a weather delay into a security engagement during a March port call in Majuro, RMI. The crew conducted activities with the crew of the French navy frigate FS Prairial (F731), including a passing exercise to enhance interoperability and practice communication, navigation, and operational procedures to ensure effective cooperation in joint operations, a simulated fire response, and best practices for fisheries inspection and boardings. The exchange reinforced U.S. commitments with allies and partners in the region.
On the return leg, the crew proved a new at-sea refueling concept. With four days to prepare for the complex evolution, Frederick Hatch received more than 12,000 gallons of fuel from a larger cutter while underway. The evolution extended endurance and reduced risk during long transits. The cutter crew also delivered 4,000 pounds of difficult-to-ship goods to forces in Guam, boosting regional readiness.
The team qualified over a dozen members in roles such as underway officer of the deck, underway engineering officer of the watch, in-port officer of the deck, quartermaster of the watch, and onboard training team members, while also integrating seven new crew members.
The return of the Frederick Hatch restores three fully operational Fast Response Cutters in Guam. Two additional cutters remain in pre-commissioning status with crews training on the island. The fleet, in concert with Forces Micronesia/Sector Guam, secures U.S. and territorial borders, ensures the flow of commerce, and stands ready to respond to crises across the Pacific.
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About U.S. Coast Guard Forces Micronesia/Sector Guam
U.S. Coast Guard Forces Micronesia/Sector Guam protects our borders and approaches, enables the flow of maritime commerce, and is ready to respond to crises in the Micronesia region of Oceania, including the U.S. territories of Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, while advancing national interests at home and abroad. The multi-mission service operates under the Department of Homeland Security.