Homeland Security Cooperation Sails Forward

Signal, Aug 2006

The U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Navy and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) recently checked the effectiveness of interservice tactical and operational cooperation in a training exercise aimed at enhancing homeland security. The U.S. 2nd Fleet's guided-missile destroyer USS Mahan acted as the command and control (C^sup 2^) platform, and the Coast Guard led the exercise, called Frontier Sentinel. It was the first time a naval surface combatant operated under the tactical control of the Coast Guard for a maritime homeland security purpose.

In addition to the Mciluin, the USCGC Seneca, a Coast Guard cutter, and the USNS Sisler, a noncommissioned, civilian-manned ship from the Military Sealift Command, participated in the exercise. The Sisler played the role of a "vessel of interest" that could contain a chemical, biological or radiological threat. The Mahan and Seneca pursued the Sisler after it failed to respond to communications attempts. They then sent boarding teams to seize control of the ship and investigate its contents. The teams communicated their findings to the Coast Guard ship's captain, and FBI participants validated the handover process that would take place with law enforcement personnel during a radiation alert event.

According to Lt. j.g. Kevin Bruyette, USN, primary liaison between the boarding team on the Sisler and the C^sup 2^ element on the Mahan, communication between the ships was successful. Coast Guard officials say Frontier Sentinel laid the groundwork for future exercises that support U.S. Defense Department and Coast Guard cooperation for maritime homeland security.