PORTLAND (AP) – Fifteen crew members from the Coast Guard cutter Wrangell returned home Friday after a five-month deployment to the Persian Gulf to assist in Operation Iraqi Freedom.
The crew members were greeted by family members and friends on their arrival at Portland International Jetport aboard two afternoon flights.
The 110-foot Wrangell, based in Portland, was deployed to the Middle East in February as one of six Coast Guard vessels assigned to help in the war with Iraq.
During their time in the Gulf, the crew has boarded vessels in search of weapons and Iraqi leaders, and escorted a ship carrying humanitarian aid up a channel lined with mines.
Coast Guard Rear Adm. Vivian Crea was at the airport to welcome the 15 crew members. They will have about a month of rest and retraining before receiving their new assignments.
AP-ES-07-18-03 1834EDT
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