laststandonzombieisland

U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Tahoma crew members conduct interdiction operations in the Gulf of America, May 8, 2026. Tahoma’s crew, alongside a deployed Coast Guard Helicopter Interdiction Tactical Squadron aircrew, stopped three suspected smuggling vessels carrying narcotics during a maritime patrol approximately 90 miles off Cartagena, Colombia. (U.S. Coast Guard photo 260508-G-G0107-1002)

The 270-foot Famous (Bear) class USCGC Tahoma (WMEC-908) recently stumbled upon three smuggler vessels off the coast of Colombia, and bagged same.

From PAO:

Coast Guard Cutter Tahoma’s crew simultaneously interdicted three suspected smuggling vessels carrying approximately 6,085 pounds of cocaine worth nearly $45.8 million, May 8, approximately 90 miles off Cartagena, Colombia. This seizure represents 2.3 million potentially lethal doses of cocaine that will not reach American streets.

Tahoma’s crew launched their two small boats and their deployed Coast Guard Helicopter Interdiction Tactical Squadron aircrew, stopping all three vessels.

One vessel was non-compliant and required aerial use of force tactics, including precision sniper fire directed at the engines, to compel the vessel to stop, resulting in the suspected smugglers on the vessel jumping overboard. The aircrew released multiple personal flotation devices, and the people were rescued with no reported injuries. The other two vessels stopped when directed by Coast Guard crews.

Commissioned in 1988, the Mighty T is some 38 years young and is homeported in Naval Station Newport, Rhode Island, under U.S. Coast Guard Atlantic Area Command.

She is one of just a handful of American warships still sporting the MK 75 OTO Melara 76mm gun and carries forward the legacy earned by the previous USCGC Tahoma (WPG-80) during World War II.