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Coastal Riverine Force: The Brown Water Navy

Navy News Service

Story Number: NNS140714-18
Release Date: 7/14/2014 1:32:00 PM

By Mass Communications Specialist 2nd Class Dominique J. Shelton

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. -- (NNS) -- Reserve Sailors received a glimpse of the unique missions carried out by Navy Coastal Riverine Squadron 4, aboard Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek, Va., July 12.

The training is designed to give junior officers, new to the Navy Reserve, the opportunity to get more acquainted with some of the Navy's surface forces.

During the exercise, Sailors took rides onboard the Sea Ark, the Coastal Riverine Forces patrol boat, as well as toured two other vessels. During each part of the exercise, members of the crew provided the Reservists with information surrounding the different vessels as well as the primary mission of the Coastal Riverine Force.

'I was extremely impressed with the level of training the Riverines have and the familiarity with their crafts,' said Ensign Joseph Scannell, a newly commissioned officer with NPASE East. 'I got a chance to drive one of the Sea Arks and it was cool to see how precise they are in the water -- it can turn on a dime.'

Established during the Vietnam War, the primary mission of the Coastal Riverine Force is to conduct maritime security operations across all phases of military operations by defending the Navy's high-value assets, critical maritime-infrastructure, ports and harbors both inland and on coastal waterways. This includes exercises, Security Force Assistance and personnel exchange.

In 2012, the Navy merged Riverine Forces and Maritime Expeditionary Security Forces to form the Coastal Riverine Force. There are currently seven squadrons. Squadrons 1, 3 and 11 are home ported on the west coast and Squadrons 2, 4, 8 and 10 are home ported on the east coast. The force currently consists of both active and reserve service members who man and operate more than 100 boats, ranging from rubber combat raiding crafts to 53-foot command boats that can carry up to 26 personnel.

'When we're out conducting missions, situational awareness is very important,' said Engineman 1st Class Carl Specht, NH3 Riverine Craft leading petty officer. 'Our workspace differs from the normal battle space where when attacked you take cover wherever you can find it. When patrolling these rivers and waterways there isn't much cover. So that's why situational awareness is so important within our community and we preach it at the lowest level possible.'

'The Riverines are vital to the Navy's mission,' said Rear Adm. Sandy Adams, deputy commander, Navy Expeditionary Combat Command (NECC). 'There are 22,000 Sailors assigned to NECC, half of which are reservists, if it weren't for these guys we might not be able to do our job.'