Norfolk, Va. – The Norfolk-based guided-missile cruiser USS Normandy recovered more than 1,000 pounds of illegal narcotics from the Mediterranean Sea on 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 the 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 the Normandy’s bow Saturday afternoon. The 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.”
