Deployable Operations Group
Encyclopedia
The Deployable Operations Group (DOG) is a United States Coast Guard
command that provides properly equipped, trained and organized Deployable Specialized Forces (DSF) to Coast Guard, DHS, DoD and inter-agency operational and tactical commanders. Headquartered in Arlington
, Virginia
, it was established on 20 July 2007, and is commanded by a Rear Admiral
lower half.
Since 2007, the DOG and DSF have deployed throughout the world in support of national interests and requirements as tailored and integrated force packages. This includes response to the Haiti earthquakes in January 2010, in support of the Deepwater Horizon
oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, and more recently deploying specialized counter piracy boarding teams to the Middle East to combat piracy operations.
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.
The DOG is the Coast Guard's element maintaining a seat within SOCOM
. DOG units' missions include high-risk, high-profile tasks such as counter-terrorism
, diving operations, intelligence-cued boardings
, shipboard take-downs and threat assessments involving nuclear
, biological, or chemical weapons
.
The DOG manages Coast Guard personnel assigned to the Navy Expeditionary Combat Command
(NECC). It was also involved in the selection of Coast Guard candidates to attend United States Naval Special Warfare training and serve with Navy SEAL Teams
. While the program is currently suspended there are still several U.S. Coast Guard members serving on the SEAL Teams.
It is likely that the DOG is the operationalization of Project scorpion
, which has been noted by Adm. Thad Allen and former ODNI Director Dennis Blair as a unit of joint USCG, DOJ and DOD collaboration for tracking and intercepting persons outside of U.S. borders who are suspected of having terrorism linkages.
units composed primarily of Coast Guard reservists
. They can be deployed domestically, or abroad in support of various Department of Defense operations.
(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
.
MSST special capabilities include:
Elements of the MSST, known as the Advanced Interdiction Team (AIT), train in basic close-quarters combat
tactics. They are trained to quickly board
suspicious vessels by Vertical Delivery from helicopters and detaining enemy personnel. The Waterside Security Division, boat drivers, are trained in vessel tactics and stealthy delivery of the FP team.
MSRT special capabilities include:
Elements of the MSRT, known as the Direct Action Section (DAS), are made up of "Operators" that have made it through all phases of the assessment and selection process.These "Silent Professionals" train in advanced CQC (Close Quarters Combat). They are trained to quickly and surreptitiously board
suspicious vessels or land based targets by vertically inserting
from helicopters or using other undisclosed methods and neutralizing enemy personnel. The Tactical Delivery Team (TDT), boat drivers, are trained in advanced vessel tactics and stealthy delivery of the DAS.
. 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.
United States Coast Guard
The United States Coast Guard is a branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven U.S. uniformed services. The Coast Guard is a maritime, military, multi-mission service unique among the military branches for having a maritime law enforcement mission and a federal regulatory agency...
command that provides properly equipped, trained and organized Deployable Specialized Forces (DSF) to Coast Guard, DHS, DoD and inter-agency operational and tactical commanders. Headquartered in Arlington
Arlington County, Virginia
Arlington County is a county in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The land that became Arlington was originally donated by Virginia to the United States government to form part of the new federal capital district. On February 27, 1801, the United States Congress organized the area as a subdivision of...
, Virginia
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
, it was established on 20 July 2007, and is commanded by a Rear Admiral
Rear admiral (United States)
Rear admiral is a naval commissioned officer rank above that of a commodore and captain, and below that of a vice admiral. The uniformed services of the United States are unique in having two grades of rear admirals.- Rear admiral :...
lower half.
Since 2007, the DOG and DSF have deployed throughout the world in support of national interests and requirements as tailored and integrated force packages. This includes response to the Haiti earthquakes in January 2010, in support of the Deepwater Horizon
Deepwater Horizon
Deepwater Horizon was an ultra-deepwater, dynamically positioned, semi-submersible offshore oil drilling rig owned by Transocean. Built in 2001 in South Korea by Hyundai Heavy Industries, the rig was commissioned by R&B Falcon, which later became part of Transocean, registered in Majuro, Marshall...
oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, and more recently deploying specialized counter piracy boarding teams to the Middle East to combat piracy operations.
The DOG's purpose is to develop systems and processes for standardized training, equipment
Equipment of the United States Coast Guard
The United States Coast Guard uses cutters and small boats on the water, and fixed- and rotary wing aircraft in the air. The Coast Guard employs various small arms including handguns, shotguns, rifles, and machine guns.-Cutters:...
, organization, planning, and scheduling of rapidly deployable specialized forces to execute mission objectives in support of tactical and operational commanders.
The DOG is the Coast Guard's element maintaining a seat within SOCOM
United States Special Operations Command
The United States Special Operations Command is the Unified Combatant Command charged with overseeing the various Special Operations Commands of the Army, Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps of the United States Armed Forces. The command is part of the Department of Defense...
. DOG units' missions include high-risk, high-profile tasks such as counter-terrorism
Counter-terrorism
Counter-terrorism is the practices, tactics, techniques, and strategies that governments, militaries, police departments and corporations adopt to prevent or in response to terrorist threats and/or acts, both real and imputed.The tactic of terrorism is available to insurgents and governments...
, diving operations, intelligence-cued boardings
Boarding (attack)
Boarding, in its simplest sense, refers to the insertion on to a ship's deck of individuals. However, when it is classified as an attack, in most contexts, it refers to the forcible insertion of personnel that are not members of the crew by another party without the consent of the captain or crew...
, shipboard take-downs and threat assessments involving nuclear
Nuclear weapon
A nuclear weapon is an explosive device that derives its destructive force from nuclear reactions, either fission or a combination of fission and fusion. Both reactions release vast quantities of energy from relatively small amounts of matter. The first fission bomb test released the same amount...
, biological, or chemical weapons
Chemical terrorism
Chemical terrorism is the form of terrorism that uses the toxic effects of chemicals to kill, injure, or otherwise adversely affect the interests of its targets.-Used by Hamas in Israel:...
.
The DOG manages Coast Guard personnel assigned to the Navy Expeditionary Combat Command
Navy Expeditionary Combat Command
The Navy Expeditionary Combat Command serves as the single functional command to centrally manage current and future readiness, resources, manning, training and equipping of the United States Navy's 40,000 expeditionary forces who are currently serving in every theater of operation. The NECC was...
(NECC). It was also involved in the selection of Coast Guard candidates to attend United States Naval Special Warfare training and serve with Navy SEAL Teams
United States Navy SEALs
The United States Navy's Sea, Air and Land Teams, commonly known as Navy SEALs, are the U.S. Navy's principal special operations force and a part of the Naval Special Warfare Command as well as the maritime component of the United States Special Operations Command.The acronym is derived from their...
. While the program is currently suspended there are still several U.S. Coast Guard members serving on the SEAL Teams.
It is likely that the DOG is the operationalization of Project scorpion
Project scorpion
Project Scorpion is a multinational military modernization program which uses military-run experimentation for acquisition of new armaments. Project Scorpion also tests new military behaviors such as effects-based operations, network-centric warfare, and irregular warfare and civilian-military...
, which has been noted by Adm. Thad Allen and former ODNI Director Dennis Blair as a unit of joint USCG, DOJ and DOD collaboration for tracking and intercepting persons outside of U.S. borders who are suspected of having terrorism linkages.
DOG units
DOG deployable specialized forces (DSF) are composed of approximately 2,000 Coast Guard personnel.Port Security Units (PSU)
Port Security Units are deployable expeditionary force protectionForce protection
Force protection or FP is a term used by the US military to describe preventive measures taken to mitigate hostile actions in specific areas or against a specific populous, usually Department of Defense personnel , resources, facilities, and critical information.-See also:*Pentagon Force Protection...
units composed primarily of Coast Guard reservists
United States Coast Guard Reserve
The United States Coast Guard Reserve is the reserve component of the United States Coast Guard. It is organized, trained, administered, and supplied under the direction of the Commandant of the Coast Guard through the Director of Reserve and Leadership....
. They can be deployed domestically, or abroad in support of various Department of Defense operations.
Tactical Law Enforcement Teams (TACLET)
Tactical Law Enforcement Teams provide specialized Law Enforcement DetachmentsLaw Enforcement Detachments
Law Enforcement Detachments or LEDETs are specialized, deployable maritime law enforcement teams of the United States Coast Guard. First established in 1982, their primary mission is to deploy aboard U.S. and allied naval vessels to conduct and support law enforcement, interdiction, or security...
(LEDET) to conduct counter-narcotics
War on Drugs
The War on Drugs is a campaign of prohibition and foreign military aid and military intervention being undertaken by the United States government, with the assistance of participating countries, intended to both define and reduce the illegal drug trade...
law enforcement
Law enforcement agency
In North American English, a law enforcement agency is a government agency responsible for the enforcement of the laws.Outside North America, such organizations are called police services. In North America, some of these services are called police while others have other names In North American...
and maritime interdiction operations
Maritime Interdiction Operations
Maritime Interdiction Operations are naval conducted operations, that aim to delay, disrupt, or destroy enemy forces or supplies en route to the battle area before they do any harm against friendly forces, similar to Air Interdiction Operations....
from U.S. and allied naval vessels
Navy
A navy is the branch of a nation's armed forces principally designated for naval and amphibious warfare; namely, lake- or ocean-borne combat operations and related functions...
. There are currently two units, Tactical Law Enforcement Team South based in Opa-locka, Florida
Opa-locka, Florida
Opa-locka is a city located in Miami-Dade County, Florida, United States. As of the mid decade census, the population was 15,376 as recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau....
and the Pacific Area Tactical Law Enforcement Team (PACTACLET) based in San Diego, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
.
Maritime Safety & Security Teams (MSST)
Maritime Safety and Security Teams (MSSTs) are Anti-terrorism (Force-Presence) units created under the Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002 (MTSA) in response to the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. The eleven MSSTs provide waterborne anti-terrorism and shoreside Anti-terrorism, force protection for strategic shipping, high interest vessels, and critical infrastructure. MSSTs are a quick response force capable of rapid worldwide deployment via air, ground or sea transportation in response to changing threat conditions and evolving Maritime Homeland Security (MHS) mission requirements. Multi-mission capability facilitates augmentation for other selected Coast Guard missions. Other federal agencies that MSST's train with are U.S. Navy VBSS Teams, FBI, and their local SWAT Teams.MSST special capabilities include:
- Waterside Security
- Tactical Maritime Law Enforcement/Force ProtectionForce protectionForce protection or FP is a term used by the US military to describe preventive measures taken to mitigate hostile actions in specific areas or against a specific populous, usually Department of Defense personnel , resources, facilities, and critical information.-See also:*Pentagon Force Protection...
- boardingsBoarding (attack)Boarding, in its simplest sense, refers to the insertion on to a ship's deck of individuals. However, when it is classified as an attack, in most contexts, it refers to the forcible insertion of personnel that are not members of the crew by another party without the consent of the captain or crew...
- K9DogThe domestic dog is a domesticated form of the gray wolf, a member of the Canidae family of the order Carnivora. The term is used for both feral and pet varieties. The dog may have been the first animal to be domesticated, and has been the most widely kept working, hunting, and companion animal in...
explosive detectionExplosive detectionExplosive detection is a non-destructive inspection process to determine whether a container contains explosive material. Explosive detection is commonly used at airports, ports and for border control.-Dogs:...
teams - CBRNE
Elements of the MSST, known as the Advanced Interdiction Team (AIT), train in basic close-quarters combat
Close quarters battle
Close quarters combat or close quarters battle is a type of fighting in which small units engage the enemy with personal weapons at very short range, potentially to the point of hand-to-hand combat or fighting with hand weapons such as swords or knives...
tactics. They are trained to quickly board
Boarding (attack)
Boarding, in its simplest sense, refers to the insertion on to a ship's deck of individuals. However, when it is classified as an attack, in most contexts, it refers to the forcible insertion of personnel that are not members of the crew by another party without the consent of the captain or crew...
suspicious vessels by Vertical Delivery from helicopters and detaining enemy personnel. The Waterside Security Division, boat drivers, are trained in vessel tactics and stealthy delivery of the FP team.
Maritime Security Response Team (MSRT)
The MSRT is a unit with counter-terrorism tactics and tradecraft. The MSRT is trained to be the first responder to potential terrorist situations, deny terrorist actions, execute security actions against non-compliant threats, tactical facility entry, participate in port level counter-terrorism exercises, and educate other forces on Coast Guard counter-terrorism procedures. Other federal agencies that MSRT routinely train with are U.S. Navy SEAL teams, U.S. Navy HSC Squadrons, the U.S. Secret Service, and U.S. Border Patrol's BORTAC.MSRT special capabilities include:
- Counter-Terrorism
- Tactical Maritime Law Enforcement
- Medium to High risk boardings
- Airborne Use of Force (AUF)
- K9DogThe domestic dog is a domesticated form of the gray wolf, a member of the Canidae family of the order Carnivora. The term is used for both feral and pet varieties. The dog may have been the first animal to be domesticated, and has been the most widely kept working, hunting, and companion animal in...
explosive detectionExplosive detectionExplosive detection is a non-destructive inspection process to determine whether a container contains explosive material. Explosive detection is commonly used at airports, ports and for border control.-Dogs:...
teams - CBRNE
Elements of the MSRT, known as the Direct Action Section (DAS), are made up of "Operators" that have made it through all phases of the assessment and selection process.These "Silent Professionals" train in advanced CQC (Close Quarters Combat). They are trained to quickly and surreptitiously board
Boarding (attack)
Boarding, in its simplest sense, refers to the insertion on to a ship's deck of individuals. However, when it is classified as an attack, in most contexts, it refers to the forcible insertion of personnel that are not members of the crew by another party without the consent of the captain or crew...
suspicious vessels or land based targets by vertically inserting
Fast-roping
Fast-roping, sometimes known as Fast Rope Insertion Extraction System , is a technique for descending a thick rope. It is useful for deploying troops from a helicopter in places where the helicopter itself cannot touch down. First developed by the British with UK rope manufacturer Marlow Ropes,...
from helicopters or using other undisclosed methods and neutralizing enemy personnel. The Tactical Delivery Team (TDT), boat drivers, are trained in advanced vessel tactics and stealthy delivery of the DAS.
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 1972Clean Water Act
The Clean Water Act is the primary federal law in the United States governing water pollution. Commonly abbreviated as the CWA, the act established the goals of eliminating releases of high amounts of toxic substances into water, eliminating additional water pollution by 1985, and ensuring that...
. 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
Oil spill
An oil spill is the release of a liquid petroleum hydrocarbon into the environment, especially marine areas, due to human activity, and is a form of pollution. The term is mostly used to describe marine oil spills, where oil is released into the ocean or coastal waters...
, hazardous materials
Dangerous goods
Dangerous goods are solids, liquids, or gases that can harm people, other living organisms, property, or the environment. They are often subject to chemical regulations. "HazMat teams" are personnel specially trained to handle dangerous goods...
releases, and Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) incidents.
The National Strike Force includes five units with over 200 active duty
Active duty
Active duty refers to a full-time occupation as part of a military force, as opposed to reserve duty.-Pakistan:The Pakistan Armed Forces are one of the largest active service forces in the world with almost 610,000 full time personnel due to the complex and volatile nature of Pakistan's...
, civilian, reserve
United States Coast Guard Reserve
The United States Coast Guard Reserve is the reserve component of the United States Coast Guard. It is organized, trained, administered, and supplied under the direction of the Commandant of the Coast Guard through the Director of Reserve and Leadership....
, and auxiliary
United States Coast Guard Auxiliary
The United States Coast Guard Auxiliary is the uniformed volunteer component of the United States Coast Guard and was established on June 23, 1939 by an act of Congress as the United States Coast Guard Reserve, and was re-designated as the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary on February 19, 1941...
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 JerseyNew JerseyNew Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
, the Gulf Strike Team (GST) is based in Mobile, AlabamaMobile, AlabamaMobile is the third most populous city in the Southern US state of Alabama and is the county seat of Mobile County. It is located on the Mobile River and the central Gulf Coast of the United States. The population within the city limits was 195,111 during the 2010 census. It is the largest...
, and the Pacific Strike Team is based in Novato, CaliforniaNovato, CaliforniaNovato is a city located in the North Bay region of the San Francisco Bay Area, in northern Marin County. Novato is located about north-northwest of San Rafael, at an elevation of 30 feet above sea level . The 2010 U.S. Census estimated the city population to be about 51,904. Novato is about ...
. - The Public Information Assistance Team (PIAT) provides emergency public information services to Federal On-Scene CoordinatorsFederal On Scene CoordinatorThe Federal On Scene Coordinator , is a designation in the United States for an individual that:*Is responsible for providing access to federal resources and technical assistance...
primarily during oil spills and hazardous material releases. It is located at the National Strike Force Coordination Center.
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.See also
- Project scorpionProject scorpionProject Scorpion is a multinational military modernization program which uses military-run experimentation for acquisition of new armaments. Project Scorpion also tests new military behaviors such as effects-based operations, network-centric warfare, and irregular warfare and civilian-military...
- Joint Maritime Training Center
- Helicopter Interdiction Tactical SquadronHelicopter Interdiction Tactical SquadronThe Helicopter Interdiction Tactical Squadron is an armed U.S. Coast Guard helicopter squadron specializing in Airborne Use of Force and drug-interdiction missions. It is based at Cecil Field in Jacksonville, Florida....
- United States Naval Special Warfare CommandUnited States Naval Special Warfare CommandThe United States Naval Special Warfare Command was commissioned on April 16, 1987, at Naval Amphibious Base Coronado in San Diego, California...
- Naval Expeditionary Combat Command
- U.S. Border Patrol Special Operations Group
- Patrol Forces Southwest AsiaPatrol Forces Southwest AsiaPatrol Forces Southwest Asia or PATFORSWA is a United States Coast Guard command based in Manama, Bahrain. PATFORSWA was created in November 2002 as a contingency operation to support the U.S. Navy with patrol boats...