Normandy Retrieves Abandoned Narcotics

By Ensign Ricky Rodriguez, USS Normandy (CG 60) Public Affairs Officer

MEDITTERANEAN SEA (NNS) -- The Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Normandy (CG 60) recovered more than 1,000 pounds of illegal narcotics while transiting the Mediterranean Sea, March 21.

While conducting routine flight operations, the pilots of an MH-60 Sea Hawk helicopter assigned to Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 46 spotted a small craft acting suspiciously. They followed the small craft and observed the passengers dumping large packages into the Mediterranean Sea, which led to Normandy taking action to recover the packages.

"I was incredibly proud to watch my entire ship team spring into action and safely execute this maritime security mission of opportunity" said Capt. Scott F. Robertson, the commanding officer of Normandy.

Bridge watch standers witnessed a small vessel speeding across Normandy's bow Saturday afternoon during transit. Normandy launched her small boat operations team and recovered 17 packages from the water. The contents were later tested and confirmed to be narcotics.

"This is another example of the exceptional flexibility of our U.S. Navy crews," said Vice Adm. James G. Foggo III, commander, U.S. Sixth Fleet. "By operating forward, Normandy was engaged in the right place at the right time, and her crew was ready to act when needed."

Normandy, homeported in Norfolk, is conducting naval operations in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations in support of U.S. national security interests in Europe.

The U.S. 6th Fleet, headquartered in Naples, Italy, conducts the full spectrum of joint and naval operations, often in concert with allied, joint, and interagency partners, in order to advance U.S. national interests and security and stability in Europe and Africa.