- Deployable Operations Group
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Deployable Operations Group 
Deployable Operations Group SealActive July 20, 2007 Country United States Branch Coast Guard Type Deployable specialized forces Role Provide the Coast Guard, DHS, DoD, DoJ and other interagency operational commanders adaptive force packages drawn from the U.S. Coast Guard's deployable specialized force units. Part of Department of Homeland Security Nickname DOG Commanders Current
commanderCAPT Gail P. Kulisch (Acting) The Deployable Operations Group (DOG) is a United States Coast Guard command that provides properly equipped, trained and organized Deployable Specialized Forces (DSF) to Coast Guard, DHS, DoD and inter-agency operational and tactical commanders. Headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, it was established on 20 July 2007, and is commanded by a Rear Admiral lower half.
Since 2007, the DOG and DSF have deployed throughout the world in support of national interests and requirements as tailored and integrated force packages. This includes response to the Haiti earthquakes in January 2010, in support of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, and more recently deploying specialized counter piracy boarding teams to the Middle East to combat piracy operations.
The DOG's purpose is to develop systems and processes for standardized training, equipment, organization, planning, and scheduling of rapidly deployable specialized forces to execute mission objectives in support of tactical and operational commanders.[1]
The DOG is the Coast Guard's element maintaining a seat within SOCOM. DOG units' missions include high-risk, high-profile tasks such as counter-terrorism, diving operations, intelligence-cued boardings, shipboard take-downs and threat assessments involving nuclear, biological, or chemical weapons.
The DOG manages Coast Guard personnel assigned to the Navy Expeditionary Combat Command (NECC).[2] It was also involved in the selection of Coast Guard candidates to attend United States Naval Special Warfare training and serve with Navy SEAL Teams.[3] While the program is currently suspended there are still several U.S. Coast Guard members serving on the SEAL Teams.
It is likely that the DOG is the operationalization of Project scorpion, which has been noted by Adm. Thad Allen[4] and former ODNI Director Dennis Blair[5] as a unit of joint USCG, DOJ and DOD collaboration for tracking and intercepting persons outside of U.S. borders who are suspected of having terrorism linkages.
Contents
DOG units
DOG deployable specialized forces (DSF) are composed of approximately 2,000 Coast Guard personnel.
Port Security Units (PSU)
Main article: Port Security UnitPort Security Units are deployable expeditionary force protection units composed primarily of Coast Guard reservists. They can be deployed domestically, or abroad in support of various Department of Defense operations.
Tactical Law Enforcement Teams (TACLET)
Tactical Law Enforcement Badge worn by qualified TACLET members.
Tactical Law Enforcement Teams provide specialized Law Enforcement Detachments (LEDET) to conduct counter-narcotics law enforcement and maritime interdiction operations from U.S. and allied naval vessels. There are currently two units, Tactical Law Enforcement Team South based in Opa-locka, Florida and the Pacific Area Tactical Law Enforcement Team (PACTACLET) based in San Diego, California.
Maritime Safety & Security Teams (MSST)
Main article: Maritime Safety and Security TeamMaritime Safety and Security Teams (MSSTs) are counter-terrorism units created under the Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002 (MTSA) in response to the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. The eleven MSSTs provide waterborne anti-terrorism and shoreside counter-terrorism force protection for strategic shipping, high interest vessels, and critical infrastructure. MSSTs are a quick response force capable of rapid worldwide deployment via air, ground or sea transportation in response to changing threat conditions and evolving Maritime Homeland Security (MHS) mission requirements. Multi-mission capability facilitates augmentation for other selected Coast Guard missions. Other federal agencies that MSST's train with are U.S. Navy VBSS Teams, FBI, and their local SWAT Teams.
MSST special capabilities include:
- Waterside Security
- Tactical Maritime Law Enforcement/Force Protection
- boardings
- K9 explosive detection teams
- CBRNE
Elements of the MSST, known as the Advanced Interdiction Team (AIT), train in advanced close-quarters combat tactics. They are trained to quickly board suspicious vessels by vertically inserting from helicopters and neutralizing enemy personnel. The Waterside Security Division, boat drivers, are trained in advanced vessel tactics and stealthy delivery of the AIT.
Maritime Security Response Team (MSRT)
Members of the USCG MSRT DAS hook and climb onto a target.The MSRT is a unit with counter-terrorism tactics and tradecraft. The MSRT is trained to be the first responder to potential terrorist situations, deny terrorist actions, execute security actions against non-compliant threats, tactical facility entry, participate in port level counter-terrorism exercises, and educate other forces on Coast Guard counter-terrorism procedures.[6] Other federal agencies that MSRT routinely train with are U.S. Navy SEAL teams, U.S. Navy HSC Squadrons, the U.S. Secret Service, and U.S. Border Patrol's BORTAC.
MSRT special capabilities include:
- Counter-Terrorism
- Waterside Security
- Tactical Maritime Law Enforcement
- Medium to High risk boardings
- Airborne Use of Force (AUF)
- K9 explosive detection teams
- CBRNE
Elements of the MSRT, known as the Direct Action Section (DAS), are made up of "Operators" that have made it through all phases of the assessment and selection process.These "Silent Professionals" train in advanced CQC (Close Quarters Combat). They are trained to quickly and surreptitiously board suspicious vessels or land based targets by vertically inserting from helicopters or using other undisclosed methods and neutralizing enemy personnel. The Tactical Delivery Team (TDT), boat drivers, are trained in advanced vessel tactics and stealthy delivery of the DAS.
National Strike Force (NSF)
The National Strike Force (NSF) was established in 1973 as a direct result of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act of 1972. The NSF provides highly trained, experienced personnel and specialized equipment to Coast Guard and other federal agencies to facilitate preparedness for and response to oil discharges, hazardous materials releases, and Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) incidents.
The National Strike Force includes five units with over 200 active duty, civilian, reserve, and auxiliary personnel. It is commanded by a Captain.
- The National Strike Force Coordination Center (NSFCC) provides support and standardization guidance to the three strike teams.
- Each Strike Team is a highly trained cadre of Coast Guard professionals who maintain and rapidly deploy with specialized equipment and incident management skills wherever needed. The strike teams are recognized worldwide as expert authorities in the preparation for and response to the effects resulting from oil discharges, hazardous substance releases, weapons of mass destruction events, and other emergencies on behalf of the American public. There are three strike teams within the NSF. The Atlantic Strike Team (AST) is based at Fort Dix, New Jersey, the Gulf Strike Team (GST) is based in Mobile, Alabama, and the Pacific Strike Team is based in Novato, California.
- The Public Information Assistance Team (PIAT) provides emergency public information services to Federal On-Scene Coordinators primarily during oil spills and hazardous material releases. It is located at the National Strike Force Coordination Center.[7]
Regional Dive Lockers
The DOG has two Regional Dive Lockers that provide full-time diving capability for three primary missions: Ports and Waterways Coastal Security (PWCS); Aids to Navigation (ATON); and ship husbandry and repair in remote polar regions. Regional Dive Locker East (RDLE) is located in Portsmouth, Virginia, and Regional Dive Locker West (RDLW) is located in San Diego, California.
See also
- Project scorpion
- Joint Maritime Training Center
- Helicopter Interdiction Tactical Squadron
- United States Naval Special Warfare Command
- Naval Expeditionary Combat Command
- U.S. Border Patrol Special Operations Group
- Patrol Forces Southwest Asia
References
- ^ USCG Deployable Operations Group
- ^ iFORCECOM: DOG - Deployable Operations Group
- ^ ALCOAST 367/08
- ^ S. Hrg. 109-693 -- Nominations of Vice Admiral Thad W. Allen to be Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard and Robert M. McDowell to be a Member of the Federal Communications Commission, March 9, 2006
- ^ [PDF An Overview of the United States Intelligence Community for the U.S. Congress (January 2009) submitted by ODNI Director Dennis Blair.]
- ^ USCG Office of Counter-terrorism & Defense Operations
- ^ USCG National Strike Force website
External links
- Official USCG web page
- Deployable Operations Group News Site
- Guard D.O.G.s Training
- Coast Guard Magazine: DOG Unleashed
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