FORT DIX, N.J. - In a ceremony January 27, 2012 the Atlantic Strike Team honored the hard work and dedication of a select few Coast Guard Auxiliarists.

The recent ceremony honored the rich history of the Coast Guard Auxiliary, its members' 73 years of service to America and the 10 years of service the Auxiliary members have provided to the Atlantic Strike Team.

Since August 2001 Coast Guard Auxiliary volunteers have given more than 24,000 hours of time to the National Strike Force's Atlantic Strike Team. More than 15 Auxiliarists have dedicated themselves to supporting the AST as an essential part of the team. They have managed the unit's daily routine, tracked personnel and resources, greeted visitors, served as security and stood more than 2,500 eight-hour watches.

"They are critical to the success of the unit's mission," said Cmdr. Richard Schultz, the AST's commanding officer. "They provide life lessons and mentorship that benefit the entire crew."

FORT DIX, N.J. - The Coast Guard Atlantic Strike Team honored their Auxiliary Watchstanders in a ceremony for service spanning over 10 years January 20, 2012. This dedicated team stood more than 2,500 eight-hour watches and volunteered more than 24,000 hours. Pictured here are: Coast Guard Auxiliarists Lawrence Volz, Ellen Voorhees, Dorothy Smith, Frederick Kretsch, Carol Giroud and Dolores Verbanaz, in the back row: Active Duty Coast Guard members: Lt. Cmdr. David Reinhard, Cmdr. Richard Schultz and Lt. Benjamin Tuxhorn. U.S. Coast Guard photo by the Atlantic Strike Team.

The Auxiliary watchstander program started in 2001 when three Auxiliarists volunteered to assist in the AST's incident response center. The volunteers have been instrumental in several high profile National Strike Force pollution and natural disaster responses including three major oil spills, a mustard gas release, and four major hurricanes. For every incident, the Auxiliary watchstanders facilitated the rapid deployment of personnel and assisted with tracking all deployed resources.

"Their efforts have greatly contributed to our success at each response," Schultz said.

The Auxiliary watchstanders took over all watch functions shortly after the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon on September 11, 2001. Their surge of volunteers freed active duty strike team members to deploy critical unit resources to lower Manhattan as part of the recovery and clean up efforts.

The Auxiliary watchstanders assumed the watch again in October 2001 and April 2004 when the U. S. Capitol was hit by the anthrax and ricin biological terrorist attacks. The Auxiliary watchstanders managed the deployment and tracking of strike team resources for each incident.

"Every time the AST has needed to surge resources for a critical event, the Auxiliary watchstanders have been there," Schultz said.

The April 2010 blowout of the Deepwater Horizon oil well and subsequent Spill of National Significance was no exception. As the entire Coast Guard mobilized to support the response, the Auxiliary watchstanders stood up and integrated with the AST. Schultz said the watchstanders' phenomenal communication, coordination, resources tracking, and documentation skills allowed the AST to bring their full force of responders and oil spill cleanup gear to bear.

"I am proud to be part of the Atlantic Strike Team and the Auxiliary Watchstander program," said Ellen Voorhees, one of the original members and the Auxiliary Unit Liaison at the AST. "I'm extremely proud of the whole team."

Schultz said the Auxiliary makes contributions on a daily basis, which increases the capabilities of the Atlantic Strike Team and the National Strike Force.

"They are truly part of our team," said Schultz.

The Atlantic Strike Team assisted the Environmental Protection Agency Region Five On-Scene Coordinator during a hazardous materials emergency removal action in November and December 2011 at a former chemical production facility in Detroit, Mich.

DETROIT - Petty Officer 1st Class Seth Hartmann, a machinery technician at the Atlantic Strike Team, conducts a flammability test on an unknown sample in an Environmental Protection Agency hazardous materials categorization trailer, November 29, 2011. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Edward Primeau

Responders found more than 500 drums, tanks, compressed gas cylinders, and other miscellaneous containers strewn throughout the abandoned site.  A large number of the containers were unlabeled and unsecured, and marked with warnings ranging from ‘toxic’ to ‘poison.’

“There were puddles and pools of liquid waste on the floor around many of the containers, and it was critical that the area be cleaned properly,” said Ed Primeau, Atlantic Strike Team’s Industrial Hygienist. “This site is located next to a residential area and posed a significant threat to the local population.”

The National Strike Force and the EPA have an extensive history of working together to reduce or eliminate the dangers posed to both humans and the environment at hazardous materials sites. The relationship stems from the National Contingency Plan, which dictates that NSF pollution response resources are available to both Coast Guard and EPA Federal On-Scene Coordinators.

“The longstanding relationships, response support history, and seamless interoperability that all three Coast Guard strike teams have with their regional EPA On-Scene Coordinators is vital to safe mission completion during any pollution incident large or small," said Cmdr. Richard Schultz, the commanding officer of the Atlantic Strike Team.

Over a four-week period, under the direction of an environmental chemist, Atlantic Strike Team members reviewed Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) for all chemicals found on site, reviewed the transportation and disposal documentation for all chemicals departing the site, and conducted field tests to determine the hazardous characteristics of samples.  This allowed the cleanup contractor to safely bulk compatible waste, thus reducing the amount of waste streams needed for disposal.

In addition to conducting hazard categorization, the Atlantic Strike Team brought an instrument new to its inventory to conduct chemical sample analysis.  The instrument uses Raman spectroscopy to initiate molecular vibrations, or Raman scattering, which are then used by the instrument to identify the solid or liquid chemical. 

DETROIT - Edward Primeau, an industrial hygienist at the Atlantic Strike Team, uses a chemical analyzer to determine the identity of an unknown sample, December 1, 2011. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Seth Hartmann

“The new equipment allowed us to identify numerous unknowns in less than half the time it takes to perform the hazardous categorization process on a sample,” said Petty Officer 1^st Class Seth Hartmann, a machinery technician with the Atlantic Strike Team.

Atlantic Strike Team members performed field laboratory tests to categorize a total of 329 samples, and verified the contents of 149 containers.  When the instrument identified a chemical that did not have the appropriate hazard characteristic based on that result, Atlantic Strike Team members contacted the manufacturer for support.  The members emailed the chemical spectrum to a scientist who analyzed the result and reported their findings. 

“The hazard categorization and test results allowed the removal and disposal contractors to handle hazardous materials in a safe manner that protected responders and the local population during site cleanup operations,” said Primeau.

NARRAGANSETT BAY, R.I.“- The crane barge Chesapeake 1000 lifts the barge SEI-34 off the bottom of Narragansett Bay Nov. 7, 2011. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Chief Petty Officer Broko Boland.

The Atlantic Strike Team, based in Fort Dix, N.J., deployed to Rhode Island on Nov. 7, 2011, after a 350-ton barge loaded with 2,000 gallons of fuel, heavy machinery, and other potentially hazardous materials sank to the bottom of the Narragansett Bay, threatening the marine environment and wildlife in the area. The barge, which was in place for workers to paint the Newport/Pell Island Bridge, landed upside down in about 100 feet of water.

Coast Guard Sector Southeast New England's Federal On-Scene Coordinator's Representative requested assistance from the Atlantic Strike Team due to complex salvage and dive operations.

Because of safety concerns and the barge's position on the ocean floor, the contractors wanted to use a 1,000 ton crane barge to lift the barge using two slings, and move it to a shallower location. Then, they planned to conduct a fuel transfer while the damaged barge was still suspended in the lifting slings. 

"Our members have received specialized training and have valuable salvage experience," said Cmdr. Richard Schultz, Commanding Officer of the Atlantic Strike Team. "Our sole mission is to support the Federal On-Scene Coordinator and ensure safe response operations."

Once the Unified Command finalized and accepted the plans, contractors immediately began bringing in the specialized equipment to remove the fuel and salvage the barge. Once the operation got underway, Atlantic Strike Team members served as on scene Safety Officers and supervised the dangerous over-the-water transfer of the 2,000 gallons of fuel at night.

Additionally, AST members provided continual input on booming strategies during the lift.

"We closely monitored building seas, gusting winds, torrential rains and near freezing temperatures and did everything we could to make sure this operation went safely and smoothly," said Petty Officer 2nd Class Daniel Fontaine, a Response Technician with the Atlantic Strike Team.

With pollution concerns alleviated and the sunken barge raised and loaded onto the transport barge, the Atlantic Strike Team’s mission was complete on Dec. 10th. Contractors remained to recover a small generator, a silo, and some other small debris that had fallen from the barge when it sank. Additionally, Sector Southeast New England is conducting an investigation to determine the cause of the incident.

“The safety of the divers and the protection of the environment were the two most important factors in this response” said Fontaine. “Seamless interoperability between all the agencies involved allowed us to complete this challenging mission safely.”

ROV Control Room MORRO BAY, Calif. - Global Diving & Salvage remotely operated vehicle technicans navigate the ROV around the sunken World War II tanker S.S. Montebello, Oct. 12, 2011. The ROV completed the initial visual inspection of the Montebello and found no possible hazards that could impede the mission going further. Photo by Robert Schwemmer, NOAA.

Members of the Pacific Strike Team recently played key roles in the assessment, survey, and sampling evolutions that took place on the S.S. Montebello from Oct. 11- 21, 2011. 

The S.S. Montebello was struck by the torpedo of a Japanese submarine and sank off of Cambria, Calif., Dec. 23, 1941, while en route to British Columbia to deliver a two million gallon cargo of crude oil. The crew survived, but the vessel’s cargo and one million gallons of fuel was thought to have remained on board as it sank to a depth of approximately 900 feet.

Although a scientific survey conducted in 1996 revealed that the wreck was mostly intact, particularly in the areas containing the cargo tanks, concern grew over the potential for the vessel to release any remaining cargo and fuel.  Unfortunately, the technology present at the time made any sort of identification and recovery operations unlikely. 

Monitoring of the vessel continued until 2011, when Coast Guard Sector Los Angeles/Long Beach and the California Department of Fish and Game’s Office of Spill Prevention partnered to conduct a survey of the vessel’s hull and take samples from the cargo tanks using newly developed techniques in oil identification and sample collection.  The goal of the operation was to determine if oil was still present on the vessel and, if so, how likely it was that the oil would be released due to hull degradation.

Sector Los Angeles/Long Beach requested PST assistance with executing several critical aspects of the Montebello survey.  To establish an Incident Command Post, PST members aided in the mobilization and deployment of Coast Guard Communications Area Master Station Pacific’s eMobile Incident Command Post, providing invaluable infrastructure and resources to over 20 state and federal responders throughout the course of the survey. 

PST personnel also supplemented the sector’s workforce with pollution response knowledge and expertise, contributing to the successful oversight and implementation of the survey.  PST Response Officers, Response Supervisors, and Response Members provided technical assistance in selecting, executing, and monitoring the contracted salvage company workers as they employed state-of-the-art technology to survey and retrieve samples from the vessel. 

Additionally, PST members worked side by side with the National Pollution Funds Center to manage $3.5 million of the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund allotted for the survey, ensuring meticulous cost documentation and stewardship of the Fund.

The combined efforts of the federal and state officials led to a successful vessel survey and retrieval of samples from the cargo tanks.  No oil was found in the vessel’s cargo tanks or the surrounding sediment.  The survey was a resounding success in that it validated new oil-identification technology and eliminated the possibility of current or future pollution threats from Montebello, much to the joy of the State of California and countless coastal communities.

The Deployable Specialized Forces Tactical Law Enforcement Insignia

By Lt. Daniel Clifford

With the advent of the Maritime Law Enforcement (ME) rating and the evolution of critical skill sets within Coast Guard Deployable Specialized Forces (DSF), Tactical Maritime Law Enforcement (MLE) has become a clearly defined community within the Coast Guard.

To recognize this specialized training and heightened standards, the Coast Guard Office of Response (CG-5) recently authorized the Tactical Law Enforcement Insignia for Coast Guardsmen of the Deployable Specialized Forces who are members of the MSST MLE/FP (Maritime Law Enforcement / Force Protection) sections, MSRT DAS (Direct Action Section), and TACLET LEDETs (Law Enforcement Detachment).

The Tactical Law Enforcement Insignia is the same device as the Taclet Pin. The expansion of wear to other members of the DSF outside TACLETs is intended to create a sense of community, inspire pride in those Coast Guardsmen choosing this career path and showing commitment to the Advanced Interdiction Law Enforcement mission.

This change does not affect the device specifications or the manner of wear which remains in accordance with the Uniform Regulations, COMDTINST M1020.6 (SERIES).

Members awarded the permanent TACLET Pin prior to June 1, 2011, are authorized to continue wearing this insignia.

For members currently assigned to a MSRT, MSST or TACLET, your packages can be processed by your command.·

For those members who were previously assigned to one of these teams and who met the requirements set forth in ALCOAST 317/11, you should route the required documents with an endorsement from your commanding officer to the DOG Commander for approval. The preferred documentation is a graduation certificate from BTOC and Boarding Officer certification letter from the time you served at a DSF unit. Any other documentation provided will cause a delay in processing. Once the packages are received, they will be reviewed, and the necessary entry into Direct Access will be made by the DOG staff.

If you were assigned to one of these units prior to the existence of the Basic Tactical Operations Course (BTOC) or its predecessor, the Tactical Training Course (TTC), and you feel you have met the requirements to wear the new insignia you are also encouraged to submit your package for review. Emphasis is placed on Close Quarters Combat (CQC) qualification and not BTOC.

The changes anticipated from the Stem to Stern analysis will have an impact on the requirements to wear the new insignia. The Deployable Operations Group and CG-532 will review the existing requirements and align those with the changes to training and organization of the DSFs. Emphasis will be placed on “Those that have qualifications necessary to deploy as a member of an eligible DSF Team.”

Rest assured, we will ensure that those members of our community continue to be recognized for their hard work and dedication to this unique mission set.

Packages can be submitted by sending the required documentation to:

Commander

Deployable Operations Group

(c/o DG-77)

US COAST GUARD STOP 7400

4200 Wilson Blvd STE 400

Arlington, V 20598-7400

110707-G-BV859-002 Tactical Law Enforcement Insignia

ARLINGTON, Va. -- Lt. Shaun Vaccaro is presented the Tactical Law Enforcement Insignia by Walt Edwards, Deployable Operations Group Training and Assessment Division Chief, at the Deployable Operations Group Headquarters, July 7, 2011. Vaccaro was the first Coast Guard member to receive the insignia under the new guidance that authorizes the device for qualified members from the Deployable Specialized Forces (DSF) community. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Michael Anderson.

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