News Release

MIAMI — The Miami-based U.S. Coast Guard Tactical Law Enforcement Team South concluded its participation in support 2011 Gulf of Mexico quick draw evolution, June 24, 2011.

GOMEX was designed to test a Coast Guard, U.S. Navy and Mexican navy response time to a security or maritime homeland defense threat.

During the two-week exercise, a TACLET South Law Enforcement Detachment, operating from the USS John L. Hall, conducted law enforcement training with the Hall’s crew and the Mexican navy.

While participating in GOMEX, the John L. Hall received a distress call from the crew of the motor vessel Mr. Lucky, who were 50 miles east of Cozumel, Mexico, June 16. A joint Coast Guard/Navy team boarded the Mr. Lucky in rough seas and high winds. They assessed the situation and attempted to fix the damaged steering system and engine.

When it was determined that the right equipment and materials to repair the ship were not available, the John L. Hall coordinated with the Mexican navy to safely tow the Mr. Lucky to Cozumel. Before being relieved on station, sailors from John L. Hall transferred food and water to crew of the Mr. Lucky, who had less than a day's worth of each remaining.

“This case is a perfect example of the Coast Guard’s value to the American public and all mariners at sea,” said Lt. Scott Carr, external affairs officer of the Deployable Operation Group. “ The Coast Guard ‘s strong partnership with the U.S. Navy and foreign services allows us to globally respond to the dangers at sea, get the job done right and save lives.”

TACLETs and their LEDETs are an armed deployable specialized force under the U.S. Coast Guard’s Deployable Operations Group. They were created to support narcotics interdiction operations aboard U.S. Navy and allied warships and are capable of supporting Department of Defense national defense operations. LEDETs provide specialized law enforcement capability and maritime security capabilities to enforce U.S. laws across a full spectrum of maritime response situations, maritime security augmentation and maritime interdiction anti-piracy operations.

110614-G-0000X-002 TACLET South trains with U.S. Navy crew

GULF OF MEXICO – Tactical Law Enforcement Team (TACLET) South members lead a law enforcement training class on the flight deck aboard the USS John L. Hall, June 14, 2011. The TACLET South Law Enforcement Detachment was aboard the Hall in support of the 2011 Gulf of Mexico (GOMEX) Quick Draw evolution. U.S. Coast Guard photo.

110614-G-0000X-001 TACLET South trains with U.S. Navy crew

GULF OF MEXICO – A boarding team member from Tactical Law Enforcement Team (TACLET) South demonstrates law enforcement holds to the crew of the USS John L. Hall, June 14, 2011. The TACLET South Law Enforcement Detachment was aboard the Hall in support the 2011 Gulf of Mexico (GOMEX) Quick Draw evolution. U.S. Coast Guard photo.