PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) — On Tuesday, the crew of the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Forward returned to their home port in Portsmouth.
The crew returned after a 78-day deployment in the North Atlantic Ocean. During its mission, the ship partnered with other countries for a Canadian-led military exercise.
Forward also hosted several Indo-Pacific heads of state during the 2023 U.S. Pacific Island Country Summit in Baltimore.
A young girl awaits the return of U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Forward (WMEC 911), Sept. 26, at the pier in Portsmouth, Virginia. Forward completed a two-and-a-half month-long patrol in the North Atlantic Ocean to support the Coast Guard Arctic Strategy and participate in the Canadian Armed Forces-led Operation Nanook 2023, an annual military exercise conducted to strengthen shared maritime objectives in the high northern latitudes. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Brandon Hillard) 
Family and friends of U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Forward’s (WMEC 911) crew watch the cutter approach the pier, Sept. 26, in Portsmouth, Virginia. Forward completed a two-and-a-half month-long patrol in the North Atlantic Ocean to support the Coast Guard Arctic Strategy and participate in the Canadian Armed Forces-led Operation Nanook 2023, an annual military exercise conducted to strengthen shared maritime objectives in the high northern latitudes. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Brandon Hillard) 
A crowd waits to greet U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Forward’s (WMEC 911) crew at the pier, Sept. 26, in Portsmouth, Virginia. Forward completed a two-and-a-half month-long patrol in the North Atlantic Ocean to support the Coast Guard Arctic Strategy and participate in the Canadian Armed Forces-led Operation Nanook 2023, an annual military exercise conducted to strengthen shared maritime objectives in the high northern latitudes. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Brandon Hillard) 
A U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Forward (WMEC 911) crew member prepares the cutter to moor, Sept. 26, at the pier in Portsmouth, Virginia. Forward completed a two-and-a-half month-long patrol in the North Atlantic Ocean to support the Coast Guard Arctic Strategy and participate in the Canadian Armed Forces-led Operation Nanook 2023, an annual military exercise conducted to strengthen shared maritime objectives in the high northern latitudes. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Brandon Hillard) 
The crew of U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Forward (WMEC 911) moor to the pier, Sept. 26, in Portsmouth, Virginia. Forward completed a two-and-a-half month-long patrol in the North Atlantic Ocean to support the Coast Guard Arctic Strategy and participate in the Canadian Armed Forces-led Operation Nanook 2023, an annual military exercise conducted to strengthen shared maritime objectives in the high northern latitudes. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Brandon Hillard) 
U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Forward (WMEC 911) approaches the pier, Sept. 26, in Portsmouth, Virginia. Forward completed a two-and-a-half month-long patrol in the North Atlantic Ocean to support the Coast Guard Arctic Strategy and participate in the Canadian Armed Forces-led Operation Nanook 2023, an annual military exercise conducted to strengthen shared maritime objectives in the high northern latitudes. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Brandon Hillard) 
U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Forward (WMEC 911) approaches the pier, Sept. 26, in Portsmouth, Virginia. Forward completed a two-and-a-half month-long patrol in the North Atlantic Ocean to support the Coast Guard Arctic Strategy and participate in the Canadian Armed Forces-led Operation Nanook 2023, an annual military exercise conducted to strengthen shared maritime objectives in the high northern latitudes. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Brandon Hillard)
