MOBILE, Ala.-Feb 8, 2008--The U. S. Coast Guard's first national security cutter took to the sea on Friday, operating in concert with the service's new maritime patrol aircraft, the Ocean Sentry HC-144, and a newly re-engined HC-65 helicopter. The flagship in the Coast Guard's first new class of large cutters in 25 years, Bertholf is the Coast Guard's largest ever patrol cutter. The launch in Pascagoula, Miss., began four days of builder trials that will test the cutter's systems and performance in advance of the Coast Guard formally accepting it later this spring, and commissioning the cutter for service this summer. Bertholf will be homeported in Alameda, Calif.
U.S. Coast Guard photo by PA3 Michael Anderson
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