Coast Guard Cutter Stone returns to North Charleston following multi-country mission

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) – Coast Guard Cutter Stone and its crew returned to its home base in North Charleston Wednesday after leading U.S. Navy and Royal Canadian Navy assets on a mission for homeland defense.

Over a span of 63 days, the Coast Guard Cutter Stone sailed through the Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea, performing counterdrug operations with the Tri-Party partnership.

“This deployment offered a unique opportunity to demonstrate the diverse capabilities of the national security cutter and how seamlessly and rapidly the Coast Guard can integrate with joint and allied forces to counter maritime threats,” said Capt. Jonathan Carter, commanding officer of Stone. “The Stone’s crew performed admirably throughout the demanding mission.”

Members of the Tri-Party include the U.S. Coast Guard Atlantic Area, the U.S. Second Fleet, and Canadian Joint Task Force-Atlantic maritime forces. It was formed in 2015 and aims to preserve mutual interest and uphold international order supporting maritime governance.

The primary missions Stone participates in are counterdrug operations and defense readiness, according to military officials.

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