Coast Guard

U.S. 5th Fleet concluded Digital Horizon, Dec. 15, a three-week unmanned and artificial intelligence event in Bahrain that involved 17 industry partners.

The event included 15 advanced systems, 10 of which operated in the Middle East for the first time. Task Force 59 led industry partners during phased evolutions ashore and at sea to advance fleet efforts that will enhance regional maritime awareness.

“The pace of innovation throughout Digital Horizon was unbelievable,” said Capt. Michael Brasseur, commander of Task Force 59. “We pushed beyond technological boundaries and discovered new capabilities for maritime domain awareness to enhance our ability to see above, on and below the water.”

During Digital Horizon, Task Force 59 leveraged artificial intelligence to create an interface on one screen, also called a “single pane of glass.” The screen displayed relevant data from multiple unmanned systems for watchstanders in Task Force 59’s Robotics Operations Center.

The task force also launched an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) from USCGC Emlen Tunnell (WPC 1145), marking the first time Task Force 59 operated a UAV from a U.S. Coast Guard cutter. The launch also enhanced Task Force 59’s ability to create a mesh network for unmanned systems to relay imagery to command centers ashore and at sea in a communications denied environment.

“It has been an incredible opportunity to work with new systems and new partners to drive the innovation process forward for the U.S. Navy,” said Lt. Jay Faylo, the task force’s director of artificial intelligence.

Over the past year, Task Force 59 has operated unmanned surface vessels in regional waters for more than 25,000 hours, which equates to 12 years of nine-to-five testing five days a week.

NAVCENT is headquartered in Manama, Bahrain and includes maritime forces operating in the Arabian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, Red Sea, parts of the Indian Ocean and three critical choke points at the Strait of Hormuz, Suez Canal and Bab al-Mandeb.

Maritime forces from Iraq, Kuwait and the United States completed a joint patrol in the Arabian Gulf, Dec. 11, representing the second time in four months the three nations sailed together to promote regional maritime security.

U.S. Navy mine countermeasures ship USS Dextrous (MCM 13) operated with ships from the Iraq Navy and Kuwait Coast Guard. The vessels conducted maneuvering and maritime security drills.

“Partnerships are at the foundation of maritime security and stability in the Middle East,” said Vice Adm. Brad Cooper, commander of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command, U.S. 5th Fleet and Combined Maritime Forces. “Our continued collaboration reflects our collective commitment to safeguarding regional waters.”

The three nations previously conducted a similar patrol in the Arabian Gulf on Aug. 25. U.S. Navy patrol coastal ship USS Sirocco (PC 6) and U.S. Coast Guard fast response cutter USCGC Charles Moulthrope (WPC 1141) participated.

Dextrous is an Avenger-class mine countermeasures ship designed to clear mines from vital waterways. The ship is forward-deployed to Bahrain where U.S. 5th Fleet is headquartered.

U.S. 5th Fleet’s operating area includes 21 countries, the Arabian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, Red Sea, parts of the Indian Ocean and three critical choke points at the Strait of Hormuz, Bab al-Mandeb and Suez Canal.

The participants at the Murtha Cancer Center (MCC) 10th Anniversary celebration on December 2, 2022 at WRNMMC, line up for a group photo.

They are (left to right):

Craig Shriver, MD, Director, The John P. Murtha Cancer Center; CW4 Charles Felder, USA, JTF NCR J/G1, Fort McNair

Mrs. Melinda DeLoatch-Speight, Coast Guard Spouse; Douglas Lowy, MD, Principal Deputy Director, National Cancer Institute; Steven Lieberman, MD, Deputy Under Secretary for Health, United States Department of Veterans Affairs; Lieutenant General Ronald Place, USA, Director, Defense Health Agency; Colonel Brian Murtha, USMC, Retired, Nephew of the late Congressman, John P. Murtha; Seileen Mullen, Acting Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs, United States Department of Defense; Jonathan Woodson, MD, President, The Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences; Navy Captain Drew Bigby, MSC, Interim Director, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center; LCDR Jennifer Jabara, USPHS Commissioned Corps; and Navy Captain Kelly Elmore, MC, Chief ofStaff, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center

Not Shown:

“The President’s Own” United States Marine Band Brass Quintet

Commander Joseph Blair, CHC, USN,

Senior Clinical Chaplain,

Walter Reed National Military Medical Center

Named for former congressman, John P. Murtha (D-PA), MCC performs translational cancer research, designed to effectively and efficiently support a medically ready force, provide world‑class cancer services for the Military Health System, and collaborate with other federal agencies, civilian medical centers, pharma, and academia.

(Photographs by Harvey A. Duze (Office of Command Communications, WRNMMC)

Chief Petty Officer Brian Wereda – A True Life Saver

KODIAK, Alaska — On August 21, 2022, Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer Brian Wereda didn’t hesitate to save a shipmate. 

While enjoying a shore-based fishing outing with friends at Sweetheart Creek in southeast Alaska, Wereda noticed a member of his group, Petty Officer 1st Class Patrick Hunksaker, struggling to fish with a large dip net near a deep pool.

“I could tell the type of fishing he was doing was awkward for him,” said Wereda. “The combination of the slippery rocks and unfamiliarity of the dip net he was fishing with affected his ability to wade.”

At the time, Wereda wasn’t concerned for the safety of his friend and continued to fish, keeping Hunsaker and the rest of his group in his peripheral vision.

After a few casts and a short walk upriver, Wereda witnessed Hunksaker slip into deep water.

“He didn’t appear distressed at this point and was trying to gain his footing and prevent losing the net,” Wereda said. “I watched very closely and could tell he was in trouble when he let go of the net and drifted into a deep pool where his waders filled. This is where he became fully afloat and was circling in the eddy.”

Realizing how dangerous the situation had become, Wereda sprang into action to get to his friend as quickly as possible.

Climbing boulders and maneuvering through thick tree branches, Wereda could hear Hunsakers’ shouts for help getting louder as he got closer.

Hunksaker was being pushed down river by the extreme current and was approaching a deep pool. His waders were full of water and acted as a sea anchor withholding him from being able to swim.

“I couldn’t make very much progress on my own and the cold water started to numb my extremities,” said Hunksaker. “At this point I knew I was in serious trouble and the odds of me drowning were extremely high.”

Once Wereda was able to get near Hunsaker’s location, he began to remove some of his gear to give him a better opportunity to save his friend. While attempting to take off his waders, Wereda recognized Hunsaker was in immediate danger of drowning and decided to get in the water.

Despite the swift current of the river pushing against him, Wereda was able to grab ahold of Hunsaker, swim him to safety, and pull himself and Hunsaker onto a rock. Wereda sat along the shore with Hunsaker for ten minutes as the two gained their energy back. Wereda stated that no additional medical assistance was needed.

“Every individual moment seemed to last forever, but the experience as a whole seemed to take no time at all,” said Hunsaker. “Chief Wereda is an excellent adventurer and outdoorsman, as well as a dedicated Coast Guardsman. Without question he saved my life that day and I will be forever grateful.”

Wereda was cited for heroic achievement for the actions he took that day at the river. He was awarded the Coast Guard Commendation Medal, making it his second of its kind received while serving in the Coast Guard.

“We all recognize that working and living in Alaska is dangerous, but this award shows what happens when we trust our shipmates to look out for each other’s wellbeing,” said Lt. Catherine Cavender, Coast Guard Sector Juneau Waterways and Facilities Division Chief. 

Wereda’s immediate actions saved a life and are the embodiment of the Coast Guard’s ethos. Wereda’s dedication, judgement, and devotion to duty are most heartily commended and are in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Coast Guard.

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