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Navy, Coast Guard Train for Upcoming Deployment

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS080307-33
Release Date: 3/7/2008 9:43:00 PM

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Santos Huante, Fleet Public Affairs Center Atlantic

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (NNS) -- Navy Maritime Expeditionary Boat Detachment (MEBDET) 211 and 411 conducted exercises with Coast Guard Port Security Unit (PSU) 309 at Naval Amphibious Base Little Creek, Va., Feb. 27 through March 5 as they prepare to deploy to 5th Fleet area of operations later this year.

"It's an exercise to integrate PSU 309 with Maritime Expeditionary Security Squadron (MSRON) 4 operations and practice what we expect to do in theater," said Navy Lt. Cmdr. Sidney Hodgson, officer in charge MEBDET 211.

The exercises included point defense, harbor security and escort missions.

"Coast Guard and Navy work together in theater already but it isn't until we are in the area that we interact with each other," said Coast Guard Lt. Cmdr. Robert Cooper, engineering officer PSU 309. "Why not train together and smooth out any problems now so when we head on deployment we just set up shop."

Hodgson describes the Navy and Coast Guard crew members during the exercise as indistinguishable from each other. With operations and tactics similar to one another, it was an effortless transition for both crews to assimilate.

"A seamless integration. We practice similar tactics. The Coast Guard operates our 25 feet and 34 feet [SeaArk patrol boats.] We are learning as much from them as they are from us," said Hodgson.

MSRON 4, stationed in Norfolk Naval Shipyard, Va., trace their history back to the harbor operations of the Vietnam Era but their creation was not initiated until the 2000 bombing of the USS Cole (DDG 67). MSRON now provides rapidly deployable point defense personnel assets for force protection and anti-terrorism.

Similarly for PSU 309 and other Coast Guard port security units, their mission of providing port security in forward-deployed areas have a history dating back to post Vietnam era.

In the mid-80s and early 90s, PSUs were "notional" units, meaning they would remain in a training phase mainly manned by reservists until they are activated to a deployed area as a Rapid Deployment Force. With the commissioning of PSU 309, stationed in Port Clinton, Ohio, in 1995, such units moved from a notional unit to a self-sustaining Coast Guard unit, deploying anywhere around the world within 90 hours and operational in 24 hours.

PSU 309 continues their exercises in Florida and MSRON 4, not missing a chance in building a stronger relationship, is sending several of their personnel to train alongside their Coast Guard brethren.

"They share our standards. It's a similar culture, we're both seagoing services. If 41 and 42 are brothers then PSU 309 is our cousin," said Hodgson.

This will mark the first extended deployment for MEBDET 411 and 211.

MEBDET 211 and 411 are part of Navy Expeditionary Combat Command (NECC), a global force provider of adaptive force packages of expeditionary capabilities to joint warfighting commanders. NECC serves as a single manning functional command to centrally manage the current and future readiness, resources, manning, training and equipping of the Navy Expeditionary Force.

For more news from Commander, Navy Region Northest, visit www.navy.mil/local/cnrne.