The San Diego-based frigate USS Rentz is deploying later this month to support Operation Martillo in Central America. Rentz is slated to be deployed for six months.
The San Diego-based frigate USS Rentz is deploying later this month to support Operation Martillo in Central America. Rentz is slated to be deployed for six months.
Rentz’s deployment will be the Navy’s first in support of the operation since sequestration cut short the deployment of USS Thach in March.
“This is the first [U.S. Navy] ship to return to theater since Thach was recalled. We’ve had no ships deployed,” said Navy Lt. Cmdr. Corey Barker, spokesman for U.S. Fourth Fleet.
Rentz was originally scheduled to deploy to U.S. Fourth Fleet earlier this year, but the sequestration cuts delayed the mission. During the sequestration-forced operational lull, Operation Martillo has relied heavily on partner nation efforts and the U.S. Coast Guard.
U.S. Navy P-3 Orion aircraft out of El Salvador conducted patrol flights, but their flying time was also cut in half by sequestration, Barker said. During USS Thach’s deployment from January – March, the ship’s crew and embarked Coast Guard Law Enforcement Team disrupted more than 379 kilograms of cocaine and more than 1,100 pounds of marijuana totaling $10 million.