Port Security Unit
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PSUs often operate and integrate with Marines and
PSUs were originally part of the
History
The Port Security program of the
After the war, interest in port security waned until pictures of burning ships visible from U.S. shores, as the country entered
During the early 1980s,
In addition to more recent operations around the world, PSUs were first deployed to the Persian Gulf during Operation Desert Storm in 1990.[5] They operated in Haiti during Operation Uphold Democracy in 1994, responded to Port-au-Prince immediately after the devastating 2010 earthquake, and responded to various natural disasters in the United States, such as Hurricane Maria and Hurricane Ida.[7] In December 2000, PSU 309 from Port Clinton, Ohio was deployed to the Middle East to provide vital force protection for U.S. Navy assets following the attack on the USS Cole.[6]
PSUs have played an active role during the
In 2003, PSUs 311 and 313 would serve in support of
Days later an element of PSU volunteered to move into Umm Qasr with coalition forces. NCWG One, Special boat teams re-assigned with PSU 311 from its original mission and were tasked to provide port and perimeter security at Umm Qasr on the Khor Abd Allah Waterway during the Battle of Umm Qasr. Meanwhile, remaining members of both PSU 311 and PSU 313 back-filled port security needs at the back at the port of Ash Shuaybah.[10]
Training
After completing individual A-school training for their respective jobs, members of Port Security units receive their training at the
Capabilities
PSUs are the Coast Guard's expeditionary forces and are a quick response force capable of rapid worldwide deployment[12] They can deploy within 96 hours and establish operations within 24 hours of arrival.[12] They provide security for forward deployed base camps and ports around the world where needed.[1] Some of the unit's capabilities include, but are not limited to:
- Physical Security
- Anti-Piracy
- Maritime Interdiction
- CBRN Defense
- Military Combat Operations
- Humanitarian Aid
- Amphibious operations
- Point-Defense of strategic shipping routes, designated Critical infrastructure, and high value assets.
Equipment
Each PSU has several fast and maneuverable
Organization
Each PSU is staffed by 140 reservists and 6 active-duty personnel (one officer and 5 first-class petty officers).[3] The officer may or may not be a reservist. Personnel prepare for contingency operations during weekend drills and normally participate in exercises and specialized training during their annual active-duty training (ADT).[3]
There are 8 Port Security Units:[3]
- PSU 301: Joint Base Cape Cod, Massachusetts
- PSU 305: Joint Base Langley–Eustis, Virginia
- PSU 307: Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater, Florida
- PSU 308: Stennis Space Center, Mississippi
- PSU 309: Camp Perry, Ohio
- PSU 311: Coast Guard Base Los Angeles/Long Beach, California
- PSU 312: Coast Guard Base Alameda, California
- PSU 313: Naval Station Everett, Washington
PSUs may operate independently or support, train or integrate with other units, such as:
- Deployable Specialized Forces
- United States Marine Corps: Marine Corps Security Force Regiment and Fleet Anti-terrorism Security Team (FAST)
- Military Police
- United States Air Force: Security Forces
- Explosive Ordnance Disposal(EOD) Detachments.
Waterside Security Division
The Waterside Security Division (WSD) is equipped with six Kvichak (Vigor)
The main purpose of the Waterside Security Division is to provide maritime protection to key High Value Assets (HVAs), such as warships and military supply vessels, military bases, ports, harbors, and piers. Through the use of vigilant escort and patrol techniques, the HVA is protected from asymmetrical threats, such as assaults by small boats or swimmers.
The Waterside Security Division consists of
Members of the Waterside Security Division as well as the Shoreside Security Division and Weapons Division use a variety of
Shoreside Security Division
The Shoreside Security Division (SSD) is the ground element of the PSUs. They are often tasked with providing protection to vessels in security zones and pier areas and security for internal unit functions, such as joint command areas, communications centers, berthing areas, entry control points (ECP), and vehicle control points (VCP). SSD personnel are also trained in defensive position construction, convoy operations, individual movements, and patrolling.
The Shoreside Security Division consists of Maritime Law Enforcement Specialists (MEs), led by a division officer (DIVO) and assistant division officer (ADIVO). It is subdivided into squads with 3 four-person fireteams each. Each squad and fireteam has a designated squad or fireteam leader.
Weapons Division
The Weapons Division ensures that the unit is properly armed, equipped, and trained for exercises, operations, or incidents that the PSU may respond to. The Weapons Division consists of a Weapons Officer (WEPO) and multiple
Operations
PSUs are capable of worldwide deployment in national defense regional contingency environments. PSUs conduct layered defensive operations to protect High Value Assets (HVAs) within the protected waters of a port or harbor.[1] Operating environments include operations from shore sites, barges, or other moored platforms (including oil platforms). PSUs typically have enough supplies to operate between 15 and 30 days without resupply.[7]
PSUs will normally operate independently but may operate with U.S. Navy Navy Expeditionary Combat Command (NECC). PSUs are capable of conducting continuous boat operations with three or four boats underway simultaneously. An additional boat will be crewed and mechanically ready at all times as a ready response boat. The remainder of the boats may be undergoing maintenance or repair or used for spares. Boat hulls can be expected on station (not including transit and maintenance time) 18 hours per day when more than one boat is undergoing maintenance. During high threat conditions, PSUs are capable of conducting continuous operations with four operational boats for a maximum period of 24 hours.
Port Security Qualification Badge
There are two qualification badges aurhorized for PSU members; enlisted members wear pewter color insignia and officers wear gold color insignia. The badge is only earned by a small number of Coast Guardsmen (approx. 1%) and is primarily a Coast Guard Reserve qualification badge.[citation needed]
The design for the pin was developed in 1991 by Reserve Coast Guardsman, Storekeeper First Class Terry D. Jelcick while sitting on his bunk at Batar Camp, Dammam, Saudi Arabia in the evenings after work. Jelcick is now retired and is a former member of PSU 312 based in San Francisco, California.[citation needed]
The parts of the insignia are:
- Coast Guard Shield: represents the Coast Guard authority.
- Trident: represents maritime defense, expeditionary, and victory.
- Crossed Swords: represent the PSUs operating in joint military environments.
- Seahorses: represent mobility.
- Waves: represent our seagoing heritage.
See also
- Port Security Badge
- United States Coast Guard Reserve
- Maritime Safety and Security Team
- Law Enforcement Detachments
- Special Missions Training Center
- Maritime Force Protection Unit
- Patrol Forces Southwest Asia
References
- ^ a b c "Port Clinton Coast Guard Unit returns from Cuba deployment". Port Clinton News Herald. Retrieved 9 February 2023.
- ^ "Port Security Unit (PSU)". Youtube. GoCoastGuard. Retrieved 9 February 2023.
- ^ a b c d "Port Security Unit". Go Coast Guard. Coast Guard. Retrieved 9 February 2023.
- ^ Benjamin, Mike. "History - Coast Guard Tactical Law Enforcement Organization". CGTLE. Retrieved 10 March 2023.
- ^ a b c "U.S. Coast Guard Port Security Unit History" (PDF). Retrieved 7 February 2023.
- ^ a b "Coast Guard Reserve History". USCG Reserve.
- ^ a b Dean, Jenny (2022). "Clearwater is home to largest Coast Guard air station in the US. How they protect our country". 10 Tampa Bay. Retrieved 9 February 2023.
- ^ Leake, Melissa (2017). "Coast Guard Port Security Unit 305 departs for 9-month deployment". Coast Guard News. Retrieved 9 February 2023.
- ^ "#DesertStorm30: Protecting the seas". VA News. Retrieved 9 February 2023.
- ^ "The Long Blue Line - 20 Years OIF: Combat Operations of Port Security Units during Operation Iraqi Freedom". Retrieved November 2, 2023.
- ^ "Non-Compliant Vessel Pursuit (NCVP)". forcom.uscg.mil. Retrieved 19 Oct 2023.
- ^ a b Collins, Craig. "Staying Ready". DefenseMediaNetwork. Retrieved 9 February 2023.
- ^ "U.S. Coast Guard Port Security Unit" (PDF). Retrieved 16 May 2023.
- ^ "Port Security Unit (PSU) Organization Manual (ORGMAN) COMDTINST M5400.17" (PDF). Retrieved 31 March 2023.