Lower Southampton Fire Department member Ryan Brookes recently departed for Ketchikan, Alaska to begin his first tour with the United States Coast Guard.

Ryan left for Alaska about two weeks ago for a two year tour of duty on board the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Chandeleur, a 110-foot patrol boat.

According to his father Stephen Brookes, who is also a member of the fire department and Lower Southampton Police Department, Ryan completed eight weeks of basic training in Cape May and graduated Sept. 28.

The 2012 Bucks County Technical High School graduate was able to return home from Cape May for a few days to spend time with friends, family and members of the Lower Southampton Fire Department prior to departing for Alaska.