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Deployable Specialized Forces

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Deployable Operations Group
Seal of the Deployable Operations Group
ActiveJuly 20, 2007 – October 1, 2013
Country United States of America
Branch United States Coast Guard
TypeDeployable specialized forces
RoleProvide 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.
Size2,000
Part ofDepartment of Homeland Security
Nickname(s)"DOG Teams"

The Deployable Operations Group (DOG) was a United States Coast Guard command that provided properly equipped, trained and organized Deployable Specialized Forces (DSF) to Coast Guard, DHS, DoD and inter-agency operational and tactical commanders. Formerly headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, it was established on 20 July 2007, and was commanded by a captain and was decommissioned by the Commandant of the Coast Guard, Admiral Robert Papp on 1 October 2013. Although many of the units existed long before the 2007 commissioning. Upon decommissioning, the units previously assigned to the DOG were split between Coast Guard Pacific and Atlantic Area commands.

From 2007-2013, the DOG and DSF deployed throughout the world in support of national interests and requirements as tailored and integrated force packages. This included 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 was 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 was the Coast Guard's element of specialized forces, but is not a part of United States Special Operations Command (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 also had medics who were attached to medical teams operating within differing commands.These medics supported roles in Afghanistan, Iraq, and other areas with Navy and Department of Defense groups.

The DOG managed 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 Coast Guardsmen serving on SEAL Teams.

DOG units

DOG deployable specialized forces (DSF) was composed of approximately 3,000 Coast Guard personnel, including the following unit types:

Port Security Units (PSU)

Main article: Port Security Unit

Port Security Units are deployable expeditionary force protection. 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:

MSRT Precision Marksmen Observer Team

Maritime Security Response Team (MSRT)

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

The MSRT is the only unit within the Coast Guard that has counterterrorism capabilities to conduct action against hostile targets. The MSRT is trained to be the first responder to potential terrorist threats, deny preemptive terrorist actions, execute security actions against armed hostiles and/or non-compliant threats, execute tactical facility entry, participate in port level counterterrorism exercises, and educate other forces on Coast Guard counterterrorism procedures. Although the MSRT's focus is primarily on the safety and security of homeland defense, it is capable of rapidly deploying worldwide in response to incidents.[4] Other specialized units and federal agencies that MSRT routinely train with are U.S. Navy SEAL teams, U.S. Navy HSC Squadrons, Navy EOD, Special Mission Units, the U.S. Secret Service, FBI, U.S. Border Patrol's BORTAC, and US Customs and Border Protection SRT. Their motto, as seen on their unit patch, is "Nox Noctis est Nostri", which translates to "The Night is Ours".

MSRT Special Capabilities include:

  • Counterterrorism (CT)
  • Direct Action (DA)
  • Advanced Interdiction (AI)
  • Hostage Rescue/Personnel Recovery
  • Small Unit Tactics
  • Counter Assault
  • Tactical Maritime Law Enforcement
  • Medium to High risk boardings (Level III & IV)
  • Airborne Use of Force (AUF)
  • K9 explosive detection teams
  • CBRNE

Elements of the MSRT's primary assault force are known as a Direct Action Section (DAS). Members of a DAS may include a Team Leader, Comms/JTAC's, Breachers, Medics, Precision Marksmen, Observation members (snipers/observers), and team members trained to identify Chemical Biological Nuclear Radiological (CBRN) threats. These assault force teams train extensively in advanced close quarters combat and advanced combat marksmanship. They are well equipped to quickly and surreptitiously board suspicious vessels, secure gas and oil platforms or secure land based targets by fast-roping from helicopters or using other undisclosed methods to neutralize enemy personnel. The Tactical Delivery Team (TDT), boat assault force, are trained in advanced vessel delivery tactics and stealthy delivery of the main assault force (DAS) as well as follow on forces.

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 (NSF) 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 Guardsmen 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 is based at Fort Dix, New Jersey, the Gulf Strike Team is based at the Coast Guard Aviation Training Center in Mobile, Alabama, and the Pacific Strike Team is based at 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 at Portsmouth, Virginia, and Regional Dive Locker West (RDLW) is located at San Diego, California.

See also

References

  1. ^ USCG Deployable Operations Group
  2. ^ iFORCECOM: DOG - Deployable Operations Group[dead link]
  3. ^ "ALCOAST 367/08". Retrieved 2014-08-11.
  4. ^ "USCG Office of Counterterrorism & Defense Operations". Uscg.mil. 2014-03-20. Retrieved 2014-08-11.
  5. ^ "USCG National Strike Force website". Uscg.mil. 2014-02-24. Retrieved 2014-08-11.

Further reading

  • Mitchell, Matthew J. (2009). Not your father's Coast Guard: the untold story of U.S. Coast Guard Special Forces. Bloomington, IN: AuthorHouse. ISBN 9781449044398.
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