NEW LONDON, Connecticut (WFSB) – The U.S. Coast Guard Barque Eagle is back home in New London.
It is a training cutter that the Coast Guard uses to teach its young members Coast Guard methods.
The cutter started its return journey to port today.
The Eagle is 295 feet long and has space for the crew and 114 trainees.
Some of the trainees come from other branches of the military and are all learning what it takes to become a cadet on a cutter.
Of course, there is a lot for the trainees to learn on board the Eagle. This includes steering and navigating the cutter.
“The rigging. You climb over the rigging. There are knots, you learn how to handle the lines and things like that,” said Ice Flores, Cadet Second Class.
“The chain of command. Maritime flags. The many ranks of the Coast Guard. Things and knowledge that will be important in four years when I graduate,” said Alex Salerno, Fourth-Class Select.
Salerno joined the Coast Guard in July.
“The Coast Guard saves lives every day. On average, they save about 12 lives a day. I do that and serve my fellow Americans in that capacity,” Salerno said.
Twin brothers Ed and Wes Johnson serve in the Coast Guard and Air Force.
“When you join the armed forces, you are doing something bigger than yourself,” says Ed Johnson, a rising USCGA Junior Second Class Cadet.
“It’s just about seeing the different leadership styles and how they handle things compared to other branches,” said Wes Johnson, a rising junior at the Air Force Academy.
The Eagle is now back home in New London.
He will stay here for about a month until he goes back to sea at the end of September.
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