Deployable Operations Group

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Deployable Operations Group

Seal of the Deployable Operations Group
Active July 20, 2007 – present
Country  United States of America
Branch United States 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.
Size 2,000
Part of Department of Homeland Security
Nickname DOG
Commanders
Current
commander		 CAPT Eugene Gray

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 Captain.

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 2010 Haiti earthquake, 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 of specialized forces, but is not a part of SOCOM because the Coast Guard does not operate under the Department of Defense. 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.

DOG units

DOG deployable specialized forces (DSF) are composed of approximately 2,000 Coast Guard personnel.

Port Security Units (PSU)

Main article: Port Security Unit

Port 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 Team

Maritime Safety and Security Teams (MSSTs) are Anti-terrorism (Force-Presence) 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 Anti-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:

Maritime Security Response Team (MSRT)

Members of the USCG MSRT DAS hook and climb onto a target.

The MSRT is a unit which utilizes 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.[4] Other federal agencies that MSRT routinely train with are U.S. Navy SEAL teams, U.S. Navy HSC Squadrons, the U.S. Secret Service, U.S. Border Patrol's BORTAC, and US Customs and Border Protection SRT.

MSRT special capabilities include:

  • Counter-Terrorism
  • 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 Coast Guardsman 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 fast-roping 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.[5]

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

References

  1. ↑ USCG Deployable Operations Group
  2. ↑ iFORCECOM: DOG - Deployable Operations Group
  3. ↑ ALCOAST 367/08
  4. ↑ USCG Office of Counter-terrorism & Defense Operations
  5. ↑ USCG National Strike Force website

    External links

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