BLACK SEA, Europe/Asia — The Legend-class national security cutter USCGC Hamilton (WMSL 753) transited into the Black Sea to support NATO Allies and partners, April 27, 2021.
Hamilton is the first US Coast Guard cutter to visit the Black Sea since 2008. The last US Coast Guard cutter to visit the Black Sea, USCGC Dallas (WHEC 716), sailed to the Black Sea twice, in 2008 and 1995.
The Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Monterey (CG 61) and Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Thomas Hudner (DDG 116) conducted Black Sea operations on a routine patrol to maintain maritime security alongside other NATO Allies and partners in March 2021.
This patrol comes after Hamilton conducted logistics visits to Naples, Italy, and Rota, Spain. The US Coast Guard is conducting a routine deployment in US Sixth Fleet, working alongside Allies, building maritime domain awareness, and sharing best practices with partner nation navies and coast guards.
The US Navy and US Coast Guard operate forward, from the littoral to the open ocean, ensuring stability and open sea lanes across all maritime domains. US Sixth Fleet routinely conducts operations in the Black Sea.
Hamilton is the fourth national security cutter and is the fifth named for the father of the US Coast Guard – Alexander Hamilton, the first Secretary of the Treasury and advocate for creating the US Revenue Cutter Service.
The US Coast Guard remains operational during COVID-19, following all COVID-19 safety precautions and regulations.
US Sixth Fleet, headquartered in Naples, Italy, conducts the full spectrum of joint and naval operations, often in concert with allied and interagency partners, to advance US national interests and security and stability in Europe and Africa.
