Media Advisory: USCGC Spencer to return home following African patrol > United States Coast Guard News > Press Releases

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U.S. Coast Guard law enforcement personnel and crew assigned to USCGC Spencer (WMEC 905) pose for a group photo after conducting boarding procedure training with members of the Ivorian Navy and Gendarmerie in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, Feb. 17, 2023. Spencer is on a scheduled deployment in the U.S. Naval Forces Africa area of responsibility, employed by the U.S. Sixth Fleet, to carry out joint training, exercises, and maritime security operations alongside African partners in support of U.S. interests abroad, regional partnerships, and to strengthen international maritime governance. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Mikaela McGee)

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230217-G-DV874-2083

U.S. Coast Guard law enforcement personnel and crew assigned to USCGC Spencer (WMEC 905) pose for a group photo after conducting boarding procedure training with members of the Ivorian Navy and Gendarmerie in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, Feb. 17, 2023. Spencer is on a scheduled deployment in the U.S. Naval Forces Africa area of responsibility, employed by the U.S. Sixth Fleet, to carry out joint training, exercises, and maritime security operations alongside African partners in support of U.S. interests abroad, regional partnerships, and to strengthen international maritime governance. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Mikaela McGee)

A Coast Guardsman assigned to USCGC Spencer (WMEC 905) conducts boarding procedure training with members of the Ivorian Navy and Gendarmerie in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, Feb. 17, 2023. Spencer is on a scheduled deployment in the U.S. Naval Forces Africa area of responsibility, employed by the U.S. Sixth Fleet, to carry out joint training, exercises, and maritime security operations alongside African partners in support of U.S. interests abroad, regional partnerships, and to strengthen international maritime governance. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Mikaela McGee)

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230217-G-DV874-2078

A Coast Guardsman assigned to USCGC Spencer (WMEC 905) conducts boarding procedure training with members of the Ivorian Navy and Gendarmerie in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, Feb. 17, 2023. Spencer is on a scheduled deployment in the U.S. Naval Forces Africa area of responsibility, employed by the U.S. Sixth Fleet, to carry out joint training, exercises, and maritime security operations alongside African partners in support of U.S. interests abroad, regional partnerships, and to strengthen international maritime governance. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Mikaela McGee)

U.S. Coast Guard Ensign Mohammed Diakite, left, assigned to USCGC Spencer (WMEC 905), and The Gambia Navy Chief Petty Officer Jawundeh Jallow conduct a Gambian-led boarding of a fishing vessel in the Atlantic Ocean, Jan. 14, 2023. Spencer is on a scheduled deployment in the U.S. Naval Forces Africa area of responsibility, employed by the U.S. Sixth Fleet, to carry out joint training, exercises, and maritime security operations alongside African partners in support of U.S. interests abroad to foster regional partnerships, promote regional stability, and strengthen international maritime governance. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Mikaela McGee)

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U.S. Coast Guard Ensign Mohammed Diakite, left, assigned to USCGC Spencer (WMEC 905), and The Gambia Navy Chief Petty Officer Jawundeh Jallow conduct a Gambian-led boarding of a fishing vessel in the Atlantic Ocean, Jan. 14, 2023. Spencer is on a scheduled deployment in the U.S. Naval Forces Africa area of responsibility, employed by the U.S. Sixth Fleet, to carry out joint training, exercises, and maritime security operations alongside African partners in support of U.S. interests abroad to foster regional partnerships, promote regional stability, and strengthen international maritime governance. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Mikaela McGee)

U.S. Coast Guard Cmdr. Corey Kerns, commanding officer of USCGC Spencer (WMEC 905), greets Capt. Karim Mara, Senegalese Navy deputy chief of staff, in Dakar, Senegal, Jan. 17, 2023. Spencer is on a scheduled deployment in the U.S. Naval Forces Africa area of responsibility, employed by the U.S. Sixth Fleet, to carry out joint training, exercises, and maritime security operations alongside AFRICOM partners in support of U.S. interests abroad, regional partnerships, and to strengthen international maritime governance. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Mikaela McGee)

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230117-G-DV874-261

U.S. Coast Guard Cmdr. Corey Kerns, commanding officer of USCGC Spencer (WMEC 905), greets Capt. Karim Mara, Senegalese Navy deputy chief of staff, in Dakar, Senegal, Jan. 17, 2023. Spencer is on a scheduled deployment in the U.S. Naval Forces Africa area of responsibility, employed by the U.S. Sixth Fleet, to carry out joint training, exercises, and maritime security operations alongside AFRICOM partners in support of U.S. interests abroad, regional partnerships, and to strengthen international maritime governance. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Mikaela McGee)

PORTSMOUTH, Va. — The crew of USCGC Spencer (WMEC 905) is scheduled to return to their home port in Portsmouth, Friday, following an 88-day deployment in the U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa area of operations, employed by the U.S. Sixth Fleet and Combined Task Force 65, to defend U.S., allied and partner interests.

WHO: Cmdr. Corey Kerns, Spencer’s commanding officer, and Spencer’s crew

WHAT: Spencer and crew members return home after completing an 88-day African patrol

WHERE: Coast Guard Base Portsmouth, 4000 Coast Guard Blvd., Portsmouth, VA, 23703

WHEN: 10:00 a.m., Friday, March 10, 2023

Editor's Note: Media are asked to RSVP no later than 7 p.m. Thursday with Atlantic Area Public Affairs at 757-202-3448 or by emailing uscglantarea@gmail.com. Interested media are requested to arrive no later than 9:30 a.m. Friday with a valid driver's license and proof of insurance in order to be processed through security.

During the patrol, Spencer’s crew worked to combat illicit transnational activities, including illegal, unregulated and unreported fishing, by conducting multinational law enforcement operations in the Atlantic Ocean. Their efforts served to strengthen existing relationships with African nations and prioritized opportunities for new partnerships.

Spencer’s crew also participated in Obangame Express 2023, a maritime exercise with participants from the U.S. Navy, U.S. Coast Guard and 17 West African partners. Conducted by U.S. Naval Forces Africa, Obangame Express is designed to improve regional cooperation, information-sharing practices, and tactical interdiction expertise to enhance the collective capabilities of participating nations to counter illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing and other sea-based illicit activity.

While at sea, Spencer also interdicted a Brazilian sailing vessel carrying 3,040 kilograms of suspected cocaine worth over $109 million.

Spencer is a 270-foot, Famous-class medium endurance cutter with a crew of 96. The cutter’s primary mission areas include homeland security, law enforcement, counterdrug, search and rescue, migrant interdiction, and fisheries enforcement in support of U.S. Coast Guard operations throughout the Western Hemisphere.

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