Monday, July 13, 2009

Secretary Visits Coast Guard Unit


Secretary Napolitano paid a visit to the Coast Guard cutter Frank Drew in Portsmouth, VA, today to see maritime security capabilities firsthand and check out the Coast Guard’s Maritime Security Response Team (MSRT) in action. What's the MSRT? Well, first things first: these guys don't mess around.

The MSRT was originally created as part of a response to weapons of mass destruction threats, and they now train – and train, and train – for the full spectrum of maritime challenges, from domestic law enforcement operations to counterterrorism. The MSRT utilizes canine explosive detections teams, tactical delivery vessels, and multiple specialized resources in their efforts. Today, they demonstrated a vertical insertion – very quickly boarding and controlling a boat by fast-roping in from an HH-60 helicopter. Suffice it to say: very cool stuff.