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Deployable Operations Group
Deployable Operations Group
	; Deployable Operations Group Seal
Active	July 20, 2007
Country	United States
Branch	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.
Part of	Department of Homeland Security
Nickname	DOG
Commanders
Current; commander	Rear Admiral William "Dean" Lee

The Deployable Operations Group (DOG) is a United States Coast Guard command aligning specially trained and equipped maritime homeland safety and security forces to be rapidly deployed in adaptive force packages to respond to a broad range of threats and hazards. Headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, it was established on 20 July 2007, and is commanded by a Rear Admiral.

The DOG established a single command authority to rapidly provide the Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security, Department of Defense, Department of Justice and other interagency operational commanders adaptive force packages drawn from the U.S. Coast Guard's deployable specialized force units.

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]

Since the USCG does not currently have an adaptive component within the United States Special Operations Command, the DOG is the Coast Guard element most closely aligned with special operations forces. DOG units perform high-risk, high-profile tasks such as counter-terrorism, anti-terrorism operations; diving operations; intelligence-cued boardings; undisputed shipboard takedowns, 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 is also involved in the selection of Coast Guard candidates to attend Navy BUD/S and serve with Navy SEAL Teams.^[3]

[edit] DOG units

DOG deployable specialized forces (DSF) are composed of approximately 3,000 Coast Guard personnel.

[edit] 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.

[edit] 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.

[edit] Maritime Safety & Security Teams (MSST)

Main article: Maritime Safety and Security Team

Maritime Safety and Security Teams (MSSTs) are anti-terrorism units created under the Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002 (MTSA) in response to the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 and were modeled after the Port Security Unit (PSU) and Law Enforcement Detachment (LEDET) programs. There are currently twelve MSSTs within the DOG.

[edit] Maritime Security Response Team (MSRT)

A member of the Coast Guard Maritime Security Response Team during a training exercise in the Gulf of Mexico.

In 2004, MSST 91102 was merged with TACLET North to form a new counter-terrorism unit. Originally known as Security Response Team 1 (SRT-1), then the Enhanced Maritime Safety & Security Team (EMSST), in 2006 it was formally named the Maritime Security Response Team (MSRT). The MSRT is highly specialized unit with advanced counterterroism skills and tactics. The MSRT is trained to be a first responder to potential terrorist situations; deny terrorist acts; perform security actions against non-compliant actors; perform tactical facility entry and enforcement; participate in port level counterterrorism exercises; and educate other forces on Coast Guard counterterrorism procedures.^[4] The MSRT is commanded by a Captain and is based in Chesapeake, Virginia.

While MSRT Chesapeake is currently the only unit of it's kind within the DOG, there are plans for multiple MSRTs in the future.^[5]

MSRT special capabilities include:

Waterside Security
Tactical Maritime Law Enforcement/Force Protection
Airborne Use of Force (AUF)
K9 explosive detection teams
CBRNE

Elements of the MSRT, known as Direct Action Teams (DAT), train in advanced close-quarters combat tactics. They are trained to quickly board suspicious vessels by vertically inserting from helicopters and neutralizing enemy personnel. The waterside security branch is trained in advanced vessel tactics and delivery of Direct Action Teams.

[edit] 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. ^[6]

[edit] 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.

[edit] See also

[edit] References

[edit] External links

[0] USCG Deployable Operations Group

[1] FORCECOM: DOG - Deployable Operations Group

[2] ALCOAST 367/08

[3] USCG Office of Counterrorism & Defense Operations

[4] MCPOCG Notes, FEB 2008 - Aug 2008

[5] USCG National Strike Force website

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