The Deployable Specialized Forces (DSF) —formerly Deployable Operations Group— are part of the United States Coast Guard that provide highly equipped, trained and organized deployable specialized forces, to the Coast Guard, United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS), United States Department of Defense (DoD) and inter-agency operational and tactical commanders.[1] The command was formerly headquartered in Arlington, Virginia where it was established on 20 July 2007, and was commanded by a captain. It was decommissioned by the Commandant of the Coast Guard, Admiral Robert Papp on 1 October 2013, with units previously assigned to the DOG being split between Coast Guard Pacific and Atlantic Area commands. The units were subsequently reorganized under Deployable Specialized Forces (DSF).
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Deployable Specialized Forces
Seal of the former command name Deployable Operations Group
Active
July 20, 2007– October 1, 2013 Deployable Operations Group (DOG) formerly 2013 – active Deployable Specialized Forces (DSF) reorganized
Provide the Coast Guard, DHS, DoD, and other interagency operational commanders Expeditionary Forces drawn from the U.S. Coast Guard's deployable specialized force units.
The Deployable Specialized Forces 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.[2] Since 2007, the unit has deployed throughout the world in support of national interests and requirements as tailored and integrated force packages. This included response to the 2010 Haiti earthquake, 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, such as Operation Ocean Shield, where TACLET and MSST teams part of Combined Task Force 151 were an integral role in Somali counterpiracy.
Deployable Specialized Forces also had Hospital corpsman who were attached to medical teams operating within differing commands. These technicians supported roles in Afghanistan, Iraq, and other areas with Navy and Department of Defense groups.
Deployable Specialized Forces manages Coast Guard personnel assigned to the Navy Expeditionary Combat Command (NECC).[3] The unit also had a high level of involvement in the Coast Guard SEAL Program; candidates could attend United States Naval Special Warfare Training and serve with Navy SEAL teams.[4] While the program is currently suspended, there are still several Coast Guardsmen serving on SEAL teams.[5]
DSF units
Deployable Specialized Forces (DSF) is composed of around 2,000 Coast Guard personnel, including the following unit types:
Maritime Safety and Security Teams (MSSTs) are counter-terrorism (Force-Presence) units created under the Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002 (MTSA) in response to the terroristattacks of September 11, 2001. The eleven MSSTs provide both waterborne and shore-side counter-terrorism and 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 units and federal agencies that MSSTs train with are the Navy's Special Boat Teams, Border Patrol Search, Trauma, and Rescue (BORSTAR), CBP Air and Marine Operations, FBI, and other various SWAT Teams.
Maritime Security Response Team (MSRT) has existed in different incarnations, but was formally established in 2006.[12] It is one of two units within the Coast Guard that has counter-terrorism capabilities to conduct action against hostile targets. The first is based in Chesapeake, Virginia, the second is based in San Diego, California. The MSRT is trained to be the first response unit to potential terrorist threats, deny preemptive terrorist actions, execute security actions against armed hostiles and/or non-compliant threats, participate in port level counter-terrorism exercises, execute tactical facility entry, and educate other forces on Coast Guard's counter-terrorism procedures. Although the MSRT's focus is primarily on the safety and security of homeland defense, it is capable of rapidly deploying worldwide in response to incidents.[13] Other specialized units and federal agencies that MSRTs routinely train with are the SEAL teams Special Warfare Combatant-craft Crewman (SWCC), Helicopter Sea Combat Squadrons, Explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) of the Navy, Maritime Raid Force, Force Recon of the Marine Corps, 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne) of the Army, Air Force 24th Special Operations Wing, Secret Service, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), ATF, the Border Patrol Tactical Unit (BORTAC) & (BORSTAR), the Customs and Border Protection Special Response Teams (SRT), and other various SWAT/Special Mission Units. Their motto, as seen on their unit patch, is "Nox Noctis est Nostri", which translates from Latin to English is "The Night is Ours".
MSRT Special Capabilities include:
Counter-terrorism (CT)
Direct Action (DA)
Advanced Interdiction (AI)
Hostage Rescue/Personnel Recovery
Small Unit Tactics
Counter Assault
Tactical Maritime Law Enforcement
Medium to High risk boarding (Level III & IV) "VBSS"
MSRT members are selected through experienced maritime law enforcement members, often selected from MSST and TACLET teams. Many of these members are already highly trained and qualified when selected. Elements of the MSRT's primary assault force are known as a Direct Action Section (DAS). Members of a DAS may include a Team Leader, Comms, Breachers, Medics, Precision Marksmen, Observation members (snipers/observers), and team members trained to identify Chemical, Biological, Nuclear, Radiological (CBRN) threats. These assault force teams train extensively in advanced close quarters combat and advanced combat marksmanship. They are well-trained to quickly and surreptitiously board suspicious vessels, secure gas and oil platforms or secure land-based targets by fast-roping from helicopters or using other undisclosed methods to neutralize enemy personnel. The Tactical Delivery Team (TDT) and the boat assault force are trained in advanced vessel delivery tactics and stealthy delivery of the main assault force (DAS) as well as follow on forces.[14]
The National Strike Force (NSF) includes five units with over 200 active duty, civilian, reserve, and auxiliary 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 Guardsmen 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 is based at Fort Dix, New Jersey, the Gulf Strike Team is based at the Coast Guard Aviation Training Center in Mobile, Alabama, and the Pacific Strike Team is based at Novato, California.
The Public Information Assistance Team (PIAT) provides emergency public information services to Federal On-Scene Coordinators primarily during oil spills and hazardous material releases. It is located at the National Strike Force Coordination Center.[16]
Regional Dive Lockers
The DSF 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. The Dive Lockers, which became fully operational on October 1, 2008, following a cold water familiarization diving accident in the Arctic aboard U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Healy.[17] Regional Dive Locker East (RDLE) is located at Portsmouth, Virginia, Regional Dive Locker West (RDLW) is located at San Diego, California or Regional Dive locker Pacific (RDLP) which is located in Honolulu, Hawaii.[18]
Naval Coastal Warfare
Naval Coastal Warfare (NCW)
These Coast Guard units are part of an interoperable force and are part of the Department of Defense international and domestic security. Similar to PSU's they provide anti-terrorism / force protection for forward deployed base camps and ports around the world where needed. Coast Guard billets assigned to NCW Groups support NECC expeditionary ops.
Physical Fitness
The standard unit testing falls into three levels of physical fitness. This test was very similar to the FBI test or applying to a local or state police agencies SWAT team. The units have a indoctrination phase sometimes referred to as "Green Team". Each unit member will go through water survival training.[19]
The Tier One Fitness test is:
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Men / Women
All Ages
1.5 Mile Run
11:38 or under
Situps 1 Minute
42
Pushups 1 Minute
38
300m Sprint
48 Seconds
Vertical Jump
23 Inches
Under 12 Minute Swim (Side Stroke / Breast Stroke)
Mitchell, Matthew J. (2009). Not your father's Coast Guard: the untold story of U.S. Coast Guard Special Forces. Bloomington, IN: AuthorHouse. ISBN9781449044398.