The littoral combat ship USS Milwaukee (LCS 5) returned to Mayport, Fla. on 02 April, following its first successful deployment to the U.S. 4th Fleet area of operations. Milwaukee, along with the “Sea Knights” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 22, Detachment 5, deployed on 14 December 2021, to conduct U.S. Southern Command and Joint Interagency Task Force South’s counter-narcotics operations in the Caribbean Sea. While deployed, Milwaukee, with their embarked U.S. Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachment 402, assisted in disrupting an estimated 915 kilograms of cocaine worth over an estimated street value of over $64 million and removed eight suspected drug traffickers from the narcotics trade.

Milwaukee conducted three bilateral maritime exercises with Jamaica, Martinique, and Ecuador to strengthen partnerships and build interoperability between forces. Additionally, Milwaukee transited the Panama Canal, crossed the equator and visited Manta, Ecuador to build lasting relationships with the Ecuadorian navy and conduct counter-illicit drug trafficking missions in the Eastern Pacific. During the port visit to Manta, the ship conducted military to military engagements and hosted the Mayor of Manta, Agustin Quijano, commander of the Jaramijó Naval Base, Capt. Diego Espinosa, and members of the Ecuadorian navy for a tour.

1.) Sailors man the rails aboard Milwaukee as the ship returns from deployment to Naval Station Mayport. .................................................................220402-N-HD110-1126
2.) Chief Operations Specialist Brittany Hadley mans the rails aboard Milwaukee as the ship returns from deployment. .........................................220402-N-HD110-1015
3.) Sailors assigned to USS Milwaukee reunite with their spouses as the ship returns from deployment. ........................................................................220402-N-HD110-1233
4.) Gunner’s Mate 3rd Class Zachary Lockman kisses his wife following the return of the ship from deployment. .....................................................220402-N-HD110-1154
5.) Chief Information Systems Technician Joel Castillo gives his daughter a rose as the ship returns from deployment. ...........................................220402-N-HD110-1278
6.) Electronics Technician 1st Class Luke Mauck reunites with his wife and daughter as the ship returns from deployment. ..................................220402-N-HD110-1187
7.) Culinary Specialist 3rd Class Angel Hall reunites with her daughter as the ship returns from deployment. ..............................................................220402-N-HD110-1172
8.) Gunner’s Mate 2nd Class Edward Kawczak reunites with his mom as the ship returns from deployment. ...............................................................220402-N-HD110-1214
9.) Boatswain’s Mate 2nd Class James Dowdee reunites with his dog as the ship returns from deployment. .................................................................220402-N-HD110-1201