U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Munro (WMSL-755) crew members inspect a self-propelled semi-submersible on June 19, 2019, in international waters of the Eastern Pacific Ocean. US Coast Guard Photo
This post is part of a series of review stories looking back at the top naval news from 2019.
For the U.S. Coast Guard, 2019 was marked by big moves in the service’s two most significant programs – the start of the Polar Security Cutter and a delay of the Offshore Patrol Cutter program.
A Coast Guard MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crewmember assists a group of people needing medical attention in the Bahamas on Sept 4, 2019. US Coast Guard Photo
THE PENTAGON — The U.S. Coast Guard is winding down its urgent search and rescue operations in the Bahamas in the wake of Hurricane Dorian, the service announced on Tuesday.
A Coast Guard MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew surveys the aftermath of Hurricane Dorian in the Bahamas on Sept. 7, 2019. US Coast Guard Photo
NASSAU, THE BAHAMAS — With 700 islands spread over 180,000 square miles of bright blue ocean, it’s difficult to imagine the airspace over the Bahamas becoming crowded. But so many U.S. military, government, private and other aircraft have flown to the rescue in the aftermath of Hurricane Dorian that the skies are “tight,” according to one Coast Guard pilot. Read More
Coast Guardsman passes water to those affected by Hurricane Dorian in the Bahamas on Sept. 8, 2019. Coast Guard Photo
Due to source error, the post was updated to reflect the current number of Army and Navy helicopters operating in The Bahamas.
THE PENTAGON – Over the weekend, amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD-5) joined the international effort delivering supplies, transporting U.S. relief personnel and providing medical evacuations from the Bahamas a week after Hurricane Dorian slammed into the island nation. Read More
US Navy Graphic
These are the approximate positions of the U.S. Navy’s deployed carrier strike groups and amphibious ready groups throughout the world as of Sept. 9, 2019, based on Navy and public data. In cases where a CSG or ARG is conducting disaggregated operations, the chart reflects the location of the capital ship. Read More
The Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5) sails in the Atlantic ocean Aug. 28, 2019. Navy photo
ANNAPOLIS, Md. – The U.S. Air Force, Coast Guard and even Customs and Border Patrol crews are in the Bahamas assisting with search and rescue efforts and damage surveys, while the U.S. Navy’s USS Bataan (LHD-5), with a fleet of ship-to-shore connectors and a 600-bed hospital, sits on the sidelines of the international aid effort.
U.S. Marines with 2nd Assault Amphibian Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, stage their Assault Amphibious Vehicles (AAV-P7/A1) to provide a hardened shelter for gate sentries on Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Sept. 5, 2019. The AAV-P7/A1 will provide a safe environment from potential high winds and debris caused by Hurricane Dorian. Marine Corps photo
Marines in North Carolina are riding out Hurricane Dorian as the system keeps moving along the East Coast. Read More
Sailors assigned to the amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD-5), direct a Landing Craft, Air Cushion into to the ship’s well deck on Aug. 24, 2019. US Navy Photo
The Navy and Marine Corps are poised to offer disaster relief in the Bahamas if requested, as officials continue to survey destruction left by Hurricane Dorian. Read More
USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) departs Naval Station Norfolk, Va. as Commander, U.S. 2nd Fleet orders U.S. Navy ships and aircraft in the area to sortie on Sept. 4 ahead of Hurricane Dorian. US Navy Photo
U.S. 2nd Fleet sortied all Hampton Roads-based ships and aircraft that could leave on Wednesday ahead of the expected arrival of Hurricane Dorian. Read More
Sept. 3, 2019, a GOES 15 infrared satellite image of the Atlantic Ocean shows Hurricane Dorian at 8:00 am EDT as a Category 3 hurricane with sustained winds of 120 mph stationary over Grand Bahama Island, approximately 105 miles east of West Palm Beach, Florida. Navy photo
Responding to approach of Hurricane Dorian’s dangerous winds and storm surge, the Navy and Marine Corps prepared ships and aircraft to sortie from Hampton Roads and started evacuating from low-lying areas of Florida, Georgia and South Carolina.
