Semper Paratus - "Always Ready"
The U.S. Coast Guard
Perhaps one of the most unique services within the U.S. government! Functioning in a multitude of roles - it's nearly impossible to define exactly what the U.S.C.G. is: military service? police force? environmental protection agency? emergency rescue service? transportation management agency? all of these things and more....
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The U.S. Coast Guard could spot sea-borne drug runners, they could give chase and they could say harsh words—but they couldn’t stop them. Then came HITRON
[HITRON is essentially a "proof of concept" program using highly maneuverable modified MH-68A helicopters with 1-2 gunners equipped w/7.62mm and a laser sighted bolt-action 50 caliber.
While the use of a 7.62 mm. machine gun and .50-caliber, five-round clip, bolt-action, laser-scope rifle could be considered fairly deadly operations, it is not, in fact, described as deadly force. The .50-caliber rifle is used strictly as a precision weapon to disable high-speed boats, not kill their occupants. This subtle differentiation of “non-lethal force” versus “deadly force” was necessary to obtain U.S. Justice Dept. of approval for the program. It was only after obtaining clearance from Justice in late 1998 that the Coast Guard could approach the rest of the interagency task force for concurrence of the concept. (However, in the event of an armed threat, the aircraft commander is fully authorized to use suppressing fire to protect the aircraft and its crew.)
[What was the result?]
Operation New Frontier began its “proof of concept” operations in 2000...In the four years since the proof of concept started, the unit has intercepted more than 54 boats, arrested more than 168 traffickers and confiscated more than 57 tons of cocaine, eight tons of marijuana and 36 lb. of heroin, which collectively have an estimated value of $4.06 billion.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE...
I'm rather proud of my "corps" albeit I only served in the U.S. Coast Guard for a period of 6 months I found it an entity that seldom gets the praise and recognition it deserves. Sadly, it tooks the events of Hurricane Katrina in which the news had so much focus for the light of attention to shine on the U.S. Coast Guard. Who's officers & servicemen were involved in numerous rescues and later would come to play a large management role after civilian heads failed to meet the over-whelming need.
HURRICANE KATRINA SUPPORT
Coast Guard teams saved more than 22,000 people in the first week following the hurricane.
Coast Guard Vice Adm. Thad W. Allen is now in charge of relief efforts along the Gulf Coast (when former FEMA Director Michael Brown was relieved of his duty there).
Anyways, after years of "live TV" programs such as "Cops", "911 Rescue", etc. It was a pleasant surprise to see the new show "SOS: Coast Guard Rescue
Click Here for Info about the show! (I encourage you to watch it on Tuesday nights at 10pm on Discover Channel if you like such shows.)
ALL IN A COASTIE'S AVERAGE DAY'S WORK.
Today, the Coast Guard will:
- Save 11 lives.
- Assist 136 people in distress.
- Conduct 106 search and rescues.
- Seize 39 pounds of marijuana and 324 pounds of cocaine with a street value of $10.8 million.
- Interdict and rescue 15 illegal migrants at sea.
- Protect $3.2 million in property.
- Enforce 103 security zones.
- Board three high interest vessels.
- Respond to 20 oil and hazardous chemical spills.
- Board 138 vessels of law enforcement interest.
- Board 152 large vessels for port safety checks.
- Conduct 296 vessel safety checks and teach boating safety courses to 289 boaters.
- Conduct 20 commercial fishing vessel safety exams.
- Process 238 mariner licenses and documents.
- Service 140 aids to navigation.
- Monitor the transit of 2,557 commercial ships through U.S. ports. o Investigate 38 vessel casualties.
Message edited by author 2005-10-31 13:48:42.
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