History
CHASE served for many years. Sailors during different eras had different experiences, but shared the common lineage.
1966 - 1970 (June) The Vietnam Years
Combat duty in Vietnam dominated these years, although they include pre-com and the voyages to and from Boston.
- May 20th, 1967 - USCGC CHASE, Launch and Commissioning by Rodney O. Young - 29 September 2003
- USCGC CHASE Plank Owners, by Rodney Young November 25th 2007
- Man Overboard USCGC CHASE SAR, 1968, by Rodney O. Young, June 13, 2003
- Norwegian Tanker ETNEFJELL 1968, by Rodney O. Young - November 22, 2003
- USCGC EVERGREEN Fire December 1968, by J. C. Carney, Sea Classics, May 2005
- AZORE RESCUE, by C. W. Bailey, April 21, 1969 a sailor in a diabetic coma. Letter to the families back home
- September 1969 - GTMO training, engine problems, continued training. Earned letter of appreciation for work done.
- Assigned to CG Squadron 3, Vietnam, 6 Dec. 1969 - 28 May 70. CHASE was awarded the Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation and Vietnam Service Medal, and from the Vietnamese Government, Vietnamese Service Medal, Civil Action Medal, Gallantry Cross.
- Familygrams WESTPAC Tour Letters, by W.E. Caldwell, 1969 - 1970
- Cutter On Patrol Off Philippines November 1969
- Chase de-watered USS Winnemuca, Familygram #3, 1 January 1970
- 1969 Christmas Story, by W. E. Caldwell , 1969 - 1970, WESTPAC Tour. Letters to the families back home
- SS Columbia Eagle Ships Hijackers Granted Asylum April, 1970
- Delta House Call by JOC Dick Benjamin, 1970, page 12 The Jackstaff News
- Why are we Stewards? by Tony Mateo April 4th, 1970
- Scuba diver reported missing RM3 Gregory F. Clark died June 13th 1970, scuba diving off of Diamond Head, Hawaii.
- WELCOMED HOME 1970, First Coast Guard District Publication, FIRST WORD, 1970
- 1970 Bob Hope USO Tour, 1970, by Rodney O. Young, April 24, 2003
- SHORT TIMER Scans of the USCGC CHASE ships news paper. 1968/1970
- 1967/70 Sea stories USCGC CHASE
- WESTPAC Tour Book 1969-1970, with 2002 added names and captions, and WESTPAC Crew Roster.
1970 (July) - 1980 The Ocean Station Years
There were some fascinating global missions during these years, but they were dominated by ocean station. Sitting out in the Atlantic under the flyways ensuring communications, navigation, and search and rescue (SAR) response ability.
- September 1970 - America's Cup race, Newport, R.I. Intrepid beats Gretel II (Australia)
- Auto accident Curtis Bay, Maryland April 6th 1971
- 1972 CHASE transited the Arctic Circle, and visited England, Denmark, Norway, and Portugal.
- In 1973, as part of a Destroyer-Cruiser Flotilla, CHASE participated in Operation Seaconex (COMCRUDESFLOT TWO). On this operation, CHASE transited the Straits of Gibraltar, and visited Portugal and Morocco.
- August 2nd 1975, GM3 LEONARD S. LATOCHA died, Danvers, Massachusetts while swimming at a Coast Guard Picnic.
- December 28, 1979 SAR Schooner John F. Leavitt, sinking.
- 1980 America’s Cup in Newport, Rhode Island. Dennis Conner's Freedom beats Alan Bond's Australia, France III, Sverige and Lawrie Smith's Lionheart (UK)
- August 1980 - assisted container ship AMERICAN APOLLO off Haiti.
1981-1989 The East Coast Multi-Mission Years
These years included search and rescue, fisheries patrols, counter-drug patrols, and even military operations.
- October 1981 - intercepted sinking 30 ft sailboat carrying Haitian illegal's.
- November 1981 - seized FAO carrying 5 ton marijuana.
- November 1981 - seized CARY with 1.5 ton marijuana aboard.
- December 3rd 1981 - FN WILLIAM F. LISTER died Port Au Prince, Haiti. FN Lister was on liberty and died from the results of a moped -bus accident.
- December 1981 - seized CAPTAIN RONNIE with marijuana aboard.
- 1982, participated in “Safe Pass 1982,” a member of the Fleet Composite Operational Readiness Group.
- January 1983 - seized MV HANOVER with 17 ton marijuana.
- October 1983 to July 1984 - US Invasion of Granada. Operation Urgent Fury, CHASE served the mission of defense readiness by participating in the U.S. invasion of Grenada. CHASE received the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal.
- Granada - Operation Urgent Fury Internet article, Global Security .org.
- July 1984 - seized FV MISS KRISS with 9 ton marijuana.
- MK3 Nicholas V. Berei died May 8th, 1985 from CHASE Engine room fire. The ship was out of service for almost six months.
- June 1986 - seized MV JUAN ROBINSON with 17 ton marijuana.
- September 87 - intercepted FV BETHSIOA carrying 72 Haitians.
- September 1987 - seized FL-6907-FR carrying 5 ton marijuana.
- October 1987 - seized a 40 ft FV with 3 ton marijuana.
1990-2011 The West Coast Counter-Drug Years
Following FRAM, CHASE shifted to the west coast. While missions occasionally brought her back, the majority of her final years were spent on counter-drug patrols in the East Pacific or in Alaska.
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1990 / 2000
(Sorry for the formatting; this section is actively being worked on....)
1990 / 2000
- COAST GUARD TO REASSIGN CUTTERS November 10, 1990
- On March 22, 1991, CHASE returned to duty after completing FRAM, and was re-commissioned.
- July 6, 1991 - A calf with two other larger whales was struck by the USCGC CHASE 73 miles east of the Del. Bay shipping lanes.
- November 15, 1991, CHASE arrived at her new homeport of San Pedro, California.
- September 22, 1992, CHASE visited Vladivostok, Russia, serving as the host for the historic reopening of the American Consulate.
- 1994, CHASE led U.S. Forces into Port-au-Prince Harbor, Haiti and established the first Harbor Defense Command in foreign territorial waters.
- CHASE participated in Operation Able Manner/Vigil in Haiti. CHASE interdicted 130 Cuban asylum seekers 1994.
- 1995, CHASE boarded the M/V Xin Ji Li Hou off the coast of Baja California, Mexico, and interdicted 150 Chinese migrants.
- Jan. 27, 1997 - Fishing vessel Northern Eagle, crew member, thought to be suffering from appendicitis. Fishing vessel Elizabeth Anne, crew member had fallen down a ladder and was suffering from severe back pain. After transport to Cold Bay, the helicopter was involved in a third rescue. A 23-year-old male, suffering from appendicitis, was taken off the fishing vessel Island Enterprise.
- Jan. 30, 1997 - Fishing vessel sinks off Alaska, fishing vessel Rosie G., Cutters U.S.C.G.C. Mellon (WHEC 717) and U.S.C.G.C. Chase (WHEC 718), an HH-130H Hercules from Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak and the fishing vessel Handler. The Handler was the first to arrive, and found the six crewmembers aboard a liferaft with the Rosie G awash. The Hanlder took the crew to Dutch Harbor.
- Drift Netting Vessel July 9th 1997
- CARAT 97 Summer of 1997
- 1998, CHASE departed with the USS RUSSEL, USS CROMMELIN, and the USS OBRIEN for Military Interdiction Operations (MIO) in the Persian Gulf. During this patrol, the CHASE diverted four vessels in violation of United Nations Sanctions against Iraq, interdicted 1,527,740 gallons of fuel-oil, and conducted eighty-six gunnery exercises.
- Power surge cancels Coast Guard's date with destiny April 11, 1998
- Arabian Gulf, USCGC CHASE April 1998
- Captain J.S. Clay letter October 22nd, 1998
- Coast Guard airlifts heart attack victim By Petty Officer Tyler A. Johnson, November 4, 1998
- Coast Guard continues search for man in Bristol Bay November 6, 1998
- Project Handclasp 1999
- 1999, CHASE seized seven metric tons of cocaine, then the second largest cocaine bust in Coast Guard history. Also on this patrol, CHASE was also the first U.S. military ship to pull into Corinto, Nicaragua in over thirty years.
- August 1999, CHASE arrived at its new homeport in San Diego, California. There, CHASE earned and overall EXCELLENT during its Tailored Ship’s Training Availability, and was awarded the Distinguished Coast Guard Battle “E” Ribbon.
- Chase Drug Bust July 18th 2000
- Chase Illegal immigration July 18th 2000
- F/V DRAGON 6 July 30th 2000
- Coast Guard, Navy intercept 200 kilos of cocaine August 5th 2000
- U.S. NAVY PARADE OF SHIPS October 6th, 2000
- Coast Guard hosting Russian delegation Oct. 16, 2000 Petty Officer Roger W. Wetherell
- Sign international agreement October 20th 2000
- Man suffering from seizures November 8th 2000
- 4 suffer from smoke inhalation The San Diego Union - Tribune February 7th, 2002
- Clipping The Fin Trade by Janet Raloff, October 12, 2002
- CG cutters seize, recover 2,500 pounds cocaine by Jamie Devitt-Chacon December 20th 2002
- Russia, U.S. hold joint drill at sea despite Iraq standoff April 17, 2003 by Anatoly Medetsky
- The Cutter, Foundation for Coast Guard History, 2003 Unit Awards
- USCGC CHASE AWARDS, by Rodney O. Young, June 22, 2003
- Coast Guardsman naturalized August 12th 2003
- COAST GUARD UNIT OF THE MONTH September 2003
- OPPORTUNITY KNOCKED by Maxine Cavanaugh, BC-AIC November 11th, 2003
- CHASE CHRONICLE Volume 1, Issue 1 - January-February 2004
- CHASE CHRONICLE Volume 1, Issue 2 - June-July 2004
- CHASE CHRONICLE Volume 2, Issue 1 - October-December 2004
- Cutter Patrol Central and South America January 22 2004
- USCG SEIZES 668 POUNDS OF COCAINE PacArea Public Affairs, February 26th, 2004
- Record for Drug Seizures September 27th, 2004
- Holds Citizenship Ceremony November 19th 2004
- USCG VIETNAM MEMORIALS, by Rodney O. Young, Photo's Christopher Wood, 8-12-2004
- USCGC Chase Association Reunion 2005, by Christopher Wood April 29th, 2005
- CWO Bill Carson Honored, by Christopher Wood November 2005
- Bulls' Edge out 'Crusaders' 38-30, January 27, 2006 By JO2 Adrian Melendez - Navy Compass
- CHASE Crew Help's Out in Panama, US Embassy April 21, 2006
- Intercepts $53 Million Worth of Cocaine June 12th 2006
- Missing underwater photographer March 19th, 2007
- Hosts Russian Federal Security Service, US Coast Guard Seventh District News release - April 10th, 2007
- Coast Guard adopts CPO mission September 20th 2007
- Cutter Chase Rescues Sea Turtles Coast Guard News Release, November 27th 2007
- USCGC Chase Association 2007 Reunion, By Christopher Wood - September 27th, 2007
- USCGC CHASE History, by Christopher Wood, October 12, 2007
- 25th Anniversary Worthy cause, by Rodney Young November 1st, 2007
- 25th Vietnam Memorial, November 2007, By Rodney Young November 14th, 2007
- Support those Serving our Country, by Rodney Young November 15th, 2007
- Coast Guard at War Trailer, by Rodney Young December 16th 2007
- Coast Guard cutter nets drugs Coast Guard News U.S. Coast Guard News, February 12th, 2008
- CGC Chase Assists Disabled Vessel June 5, 2008 U.S. Coast Guard
- Letter from the CHASE Association President, by Pete Lavine, 2008
- CGC CHASE Association, and the USCGC CHASE 40th Anniversary. by Rodney Young April 25, 2008
- ENS Joseph Herd and the Price is Right By Rodney Young July 28th, 2009
- Coast Guard Seizes 1.5 Tons of Cocaine February 4, 2009 by ENS Joseph Herd
- Another Bail Out February 4, 2009 by ENS Joseph Herd
- CHASE Returns Home March 27, 2009
- Cutter Chase to hold change of Command June 10th, 2009, by CGNews.
- USCGC CHASE Association Reunion 2009 Pictures taken by Tom Leary and Christopher Wood, July 2009.
- History Committee Reunion News, by Christopher Wood July 8th, 2009
- W.E. Caldwell VADM USCG Funeral, by Rodney Young May 26, 2009
- Remembering Patch, 40 Year Vietnam Tour Anniversary, by Rodney Young May31, 2009
- USCGC CHASE PATCH HISTORY, by Rodney O. Young, June 2009
- April 1, 2011 USCGC CHASE (WHEC 718) Decommissioned in San Diego
CHASE Crewmembers
Here are a few biographies of people who served on CHASE over the years. They are separated out here from the history of the cutter for easier viewing. Any additions are welcome.
"Once a Chaser always a Chaser "
"Once a Chaser always a Chaser "
- Vice Admiral Thomas J. Barrett May 30th, 2002
- Thomas J. Barrett Deputy Secretary of Transportation March 3rd 2007
- Captain Thomas M. Cullen Jr.
- Lt. Cmdr. Andrea M. Marcille August 6th 2004
- LTJG Anna Slaven Slater Applauds Coast Guard Heroism, Achievements - 28 September 2000
- Rear Admiral John Tozzi
- Lt. James D. Stoffer August 14th, 2006, Coast Guard News Release.
- Short snippets about CHASE Era Crew Members - January 2007
- WESTPAC Tour Book 1969-1970, with 2002 added names and captions, and WESTPAC Crew Roster.
CHASE Captains
This is believed to be the complete list. Corrections are welcome if errors are noted.
- James D. Luse, Captain USCG - March 1968 – December 1968
- Claude W. Bailey, Captain USCG - December 1968 – June 1969
- Wayne E. Caldwell, Commander USCG - June 1969 – June 1971
- William L. Aikenhead, Captain, USCG - June 1971 – July 1973
- James R. Kelly, Captain, USCG - July 1973 – May 1975
- Terry L. Lucas, Commander, USCG - May 1975 – July 1975
- Robert H. Overton III, Commander, USCG - July 1975 – June 1977
- Lawrence J. O’Pezio, Captain, USCG - June 1977 – August 1979
- Robert J Ketchel, Captain, USCG - August 1979 – August 1981
- Douglas G. Currier, Captain, USCG - August 1981 – August 1983
- John W. Lockwood, Captain, USCG - August 1983 – June 1985
- David L. Parr, Captain, USCG - August 1985 – August 1987
- William R. Wilkins, Captain, USCG - August 1987 – December 1988
- Ernest R. Riutta, Captain, USCG - March 1991 – June 1993
- Laird H. Hail, Captain, USCG - June 1993 – July 1995
- Lawrence G. Brudnicki, Captain, USCG - July 1995 – August 1997
- John S. Clay, Captain, USCG - August 1997 – August 1999
- James J. Lober, Captain, USCG - August 1999 – March 2001
- Mark S. Kern, Captain, USCG - March 2001 – June 2003
- Norman L. Custard, Captain, USCG - June 2003 – July 2005
- Bruce D. Baffer, Captain, USCG - July 2005 – August 2007
- Brian D. Perkins, Captain, USCG - August 2007 - June 2009
- Gregory J. Sanial, Captain, USCG - June 2009 - April 2011