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NNS021002-04 Patrol Coastal Ships Transfer to SURFLANT

Release Date: 10/2/2002 12:08:00 PM

From Commander, Naval Surface Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet Public Affairs

NORFOLK, Va. (NNS) -- All nine Atlantic Fleet Cyclone-Class Patrol Coastal (PC) ships have now come under the administrative control of Commander, Naval Surface Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet (SURFLANT) for issues regarding manning, equipping, training and maintenance.

Previously, those matters and operational issues had been tended to by the U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) through Commander, Naval Special Warfare Command (CNSWC).

With the shift of administrative responsibility for the PC's from USSOCOM to SURFLANT, the ships will continue to operate in Operation Noble Eagle under the tactical control of the Coast Guard Atlantic Area command but will now fall under the operational control of the U.S. Navy's 2nd Fleet.

The ships will report to SURFLANT on administrative issues through their immediate superior in command, Commander, Amphibious Group Two Rear Adm. Michael P. Nowakowski.

The ships were originally slated for decommissioning, but in the wake of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on America, they have proven to be valuable assets to homeland defense.

Since Nov. 5, 2001, the patrol coastal ships have operated with embarked U.S. Coast Guard law enforcement teams in support of Operation Noble Eagle. It is the first time U.S. Navy ships have been employed jointly with the U.S. Coast Guard to help protect American coastlines, ports and waterways from terrorist attack.

"SURFLANT ships were among the first to respond to the call for homeland defense on Sept. 11, so we're no stranger to this business," said Capt. Ray Snell, Assistant Chief of Staff for Operations for Commander, Naval Surface Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet. "We look forward to continuing our work on behalf of homeland defense by helping these great ships and crews prepare for homeland security missions."

"This cooperative effort between the Navy and the Coast Guard is a prime example of the inter-agency cooperation that must be the way of the future if we're to protect our shores from terrorist attack. It's extremely important and we look forward to supporting the patrol coastal force and all they bring to the fight," Snell said.

Military leaders believe that in order to win the war on terror and prepare for future threats, they have to think "outside the box," developing transformational strategies and technologies to shape the entire U.S. military into a more lethal, agile and prepared military force. Using the patrol coastal ships for homeland security is a perfect example of this new mindset.

"Although the mission is new, it makes perfect sense to use Cyclone-class ships for maritime homeland security. Their speed, maneuverability and firepower make them extremely well-suited for the mission," said Lt. Cmdr. Michael T. Echols, Commanding Officer of the Little Creek-based USS Whirlwind (PC 11).

"Our Sailors and ships provide the Coast Guard with assets they don't have. Plus they bring their law enforcement expertise and authority to the fight. The entire package -- ship, Sailors and Coast Guardsmen -- provides a capable, versatile, ship perfect for fighting terrorism in the maritime environment," Eckhols said.

As the lead agency for maritime homeland security, the Coast Guard is responsible for protecting more than 360 ports and 95,000 miles of U.S. coastline. Together with the Navy and federal, state and local law enforcement, the Coast Guard is conducting its largest port security operation since World War II.

The Coast Guard teams aboard the PCs are specially trained Coast Guard law enforcement officers from Coast Guard Tactical Law Enforcement Team North (TACLET), based in Yorktown, Va.

They deploy aboard the ships on maritime homeland security patrol to conduct law enforcement boardings of vessels at sea, prior to the vessel's entry into a U.S. port. The PCs also provide anti-terrorism/force protection for Naval ships and escort commercial ships in and out of U.S. ports.

U.S. Navy personnel, as members of the Department of Defense, are normally prohibited by law (Posse Comitatus Act) from participating directly in law enforcement activities.

Coast Guard personnel, on the other hand, are authorized to board vessels to enforce U.S. law. This arrangement -- having a Coast Guard boarding team aboard a Navy ship -- is similar to the one employed for years in joint Navy-Coast Guard counter-narcotics operations, dating back to the 1980s.

Coast Guard law enforcement detachments have also deployed aboard U.S. Navy ships worldwide in support of port security and maritime interdiction operations in the Persian Gulf and Southwest Asia.

The PCs will be used for homeland security for the next two years, but their use for homeland security in the long-term future has not yet been determined.

PCs traditionally have been used to conduct Naval Special Warfare (NSW) maritime operations, coastal patrol of foreign shores, surveillance, and shallow-water interdiction operations.

They frequently operate with the Coast Guard and other military units. These factors make the ships particularly relevant for participation in Operation Noble Eagle.