Like her sister ships, Robert Ward is designed to perform search and rescue missions, port security, and the interception of smugglers.[5] She is armed with a remote-controlled, gyro-stabilized 25 mm autocannon, four crew served M2 Browning machine guns, and light arms. She is equipped with a stern launching ramp, that allows her to launch or retrieve a water-jet propelled high-speed auxiliary boat, without first coming to a stop. Her high-speed boat has over-the-horizon capability, and is used for inspecting other vessels, and deploying boarding parties.
On 10 February 2019, during Robert Ward's first operational patrol the crew responded to an Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon distress call near Torrey Pines, California. Robert Ward arrived on scene within minutes and located three hypothermic people (two adults and one child) clinging to the hull of an overturned sail boat. The crew of Robert Ward rescued all three individuals, provided emergency medical services and transported survivors to San Diego, California.[6]
On 29 August 2019, Robert Ward returned to Coast Guard Base Los Angeles Long Beach from her first Eastern Pacific Patrol with 2,800 pounds (1,300 kg) of seized cocaine. The cocaine was estimated to be worth $38.5 million. Robert Ward was credited with the second largest cocaine seizure and disruption of any Coast Guard Fast Response Cutter in the fleet.[7]
On 13 November 2019, Robert Ward assisted a mariner in distress on board a homemade sailing vessel after a five-month journey across Pacific Ocean from Japan. The crew of Robert Ward provided food, water and various essential supplies. Robert Ward towed the vessel to waters offshore Port Hueneme, California. The vessel was subsequently towed to the nearest safe haven by another Coast Guard vessel.[8]
On 28 July 2020, Robert Ward was conducting a pursuit of a non-compliant vessel that had traveled across the U.S.-Mexico Maritime Boundary line into U.S. Territorial Waters. During the pursuit, persons on board the vessel were seen throwing bags overboard. Soon after, the vessel completely capsized sending all 14 people into the water. All 14 people were immediately recovered from the water and apprehended by Robert Ward. The crew of Robert Ward were also able to recover backpack style packages containing 82 pounds of methamphetamine.[9]
Namesake
In 2010, Charles "Skip" W. Bowen, who was then the United States Coast Guard's most senior non-commissioned officer, proposed that all 58 cutters in the Sentinel class should be named after enlisted sailors in the Coast Guard, or one of its precursor services, who were recognized for their heroism.[10][11][12] In 2015 the Coast Guard announced that Robert G. Ward would be the namesake of the 29th cutter. Ward was the coxswain in charge of a landing craft on 6 June 1944, during the Invasion of Normandy.[3] He distinguished himself while rescuing two injured members of his crew.[13][4]
^ ab"Robert Ward arrives in San Pedro". Coast Guard News. 31 October 2018. Archived from the original on 5 November 2018. Retrieved 3 November 2018. Ward operated beach-landing boats during the Normandy invasion. He landed his craft on the Cotentin Peninsula and rescued two stranded boat crews in the face of a heavily fortified enemy assault.
^"FRC Plan B: The Sentinel Class". Defense Industry Daily. 2 May 2014. Archived from the original on 7 July 2014. Retrieved 3 April 2014. All of these boats will be named after enlisted Coast Guard heroes, who distinguished themselves in USCG or military service. The first 25 have been named, but only 8 have been commissioned...
^
Susan Schept (22 March 2010). "Enlisted heroes honored". United States Coast Guard. Archived from the original on 3 December 2011. Retrieved 1 February 2013. After the passing of several well-known Coast Guard heroes last year, Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard Charles "Skip" Bowen mentioned in his blog that the Coast Guard does not do enough to honor its fallen heroes.
^"U.S. Coast Guard announces name for first Sentinel-class cutter". 22 March 2010. Archived from the original on 25 March 2010. Retrieved 1 February 2013. Previously designated to be named the Coast Guard Cutter Sentinel, the cutter Bernard C. Webber will be the first of the service's new 153-foot patrol cutters. Coast Guard Commandant Admiral Thad Allen approved the change of the cutter's name to allow this class of vessels to be named after outstanding enlisted members who demonstrated exceptional heroism in the line of duty. This will be the first class of cutters to be named exclusively for enlisted members of the Coast Guard and its predecessor services.
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Seaman First Class Robert G. Ward, United States Coast Guard, for conspicuous gallantry in action during the landing operations against the enemy on Cotentin Peninsula, France, on 6 June 1944. While acting as coxswain of a landing craft in the first wave, Seaman First Class Ward successfully landed his troop personnel despite enemy opposition. Upon retracting from the beach he observed the stranded crews from two other landing craft whose boats had been destroyed by enemy mortar fire. Ward returned to the beach, took off both crews despite continued shelling, and returned safely with them to his ship.
_CoA.jpg)
