Coast Guard, Navy Test Security at Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay
Story and photos by PA1 Donnie Brzuska, PADET Jacksonville, Fla.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - The Coast Guard and Navy conducted a joint exercise May 31 on the Cumberland Sound, Ga., designed to test the Coast Guard's ability to deter, detect and disrupt hostile acts directed at U.S. naval vessels.
During the exercise, Coast Guard and naval vessels utilized aggressive vessel tactics and fired blank ammunition from their mounted M240 and .50-caliber machine guns. This provided the most realistic means of evaluating unit capabilities, tactics, doctrine and plans in foiling hostile attacks on Navy units in the area of Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay, Ga.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Members of Maritime Security Response Team from Chesapeake, Va., fire blank ammunition at members from Port Security Unit 307 from St. Petersburg, Fla., during an exercise in the area of Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay, Ga. The boat crew from PSU 307 was acting as terrorists trying to attack a simulated high-value Navy asset in the Cumberland Sound, Ga. Coast Guard photograph by PA1 Donnie Brzuska.
"This exercise highlights the Coast Guard's commitment to port security, and our continuing efforts to provide the best possible protection against terrorism or other hostile actions," said Capt. David Lersch, the captain of the port for the Cumberland Sound area.
Coast Guard units routinely work in the Kings Bay area providing security for vessels transiting to and from secure Navy facilities. Exercise coordinators wanted to test Coast Guard and Navy crews in the environment in which they operate daily to provide the most realistic measure of their abilities.
The exercise scenario dealt with the escort of a Navy asset through the King's Bay
area. Security considerations prohibit the release of further details of the exercise. No actual Navy assets were escorted during the exercise due to security concerns.
Members of Port Security Unit 307 from St. Petersburg, Fla., try to breach a security zone during an exercise in the area of Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay, Ga. The boat crew from PSU 307 was acting as terrorists trying to attack a simulated high-value Navy asset in the Cumberland Sound, Ga. Coast Guard photograph by PA1 Donnie Brzuska.
"This is just one of a series of ongoing exercises and operations to strengthen the Coast Guard's and Navy's interoperability and unity of effort," said Joseph DiRenzo, the Atlantic Area Command's anti-terrorism coordinator.
Boaters were reminded by the local media of the 500-yard security zone established around the exercise vessels. The Coast Guard also issued a broadcast notice to mariners on VHF marine radio channel 16 with the specifics of the security zone. No boaters, recreational or commercial, interfered with the exercise at any time.
Boat crews from Port Security Unit 307 from St. Petersburg, Fla., Maritime Security Response Team from Chesapeake, Va., and Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay Security Forces all participated in the exercise. An aircrew from Air Station Savannah, Ga., provided air support for the exercise.
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