Posts Tagged ‘PSU 311’
Port Security Unit 311 - Land Security in a Port Security Unit
KUWAIT NAVAL BASE, Kuwait - What does the Army do when it doesn’t have enough soldiers on hand qualified to “man” the turret guns on its HMMWVs for patrols – it calls the Coast Guard.
Port Security Unit 311 - The Mission in Kuwait
KUWAIT NAVAL BASE, Kuwait — The U.S. Coast Guard Port Security Unit 311, based out of San Pedro, Calif. deployed to the Kuwaiti Naval Base Dec. 4, with the Navy’s Maritime Expeditionary Security Squadron One (MSRON ONE) as part of the Combined Task Group 56.5, under the Naval Expeditionary Combat Command.
Port Security Unit 311 - Changing The Watch in Kuwait
KUWAIT NAVAL BASE, Kuwait - December 12, 2008 may not be remembered as a special day in history. But for Port Security Unit 309 from Cleveland Ohio it will probably be a day to remember. It’s the day that Port Security Unit 311 from San Pedro, Calif. took over the Coast Guard’s portion of the port security operations in Kuwait, and PSU 309 could start packing to go home in time for Christmas.
Port Security Unit 311 - Preparations To Deploy to Kuwait
KUWAIT NAVAL BASE, Kuwait - As the 747 touched down at three in the morning, an eerie silence fell over the 340 Coast Guard and Navy personnel inside. Where moments before an excited chatter had filled the cabin, now it was quiet.
Presumably, it could have been the almost 19 hours of flying that the unit had to endure, and the journey had finally come to an end, but more that likely it was because of location…Kuwait.
Joint Navy-Coast Guard Security Squadron Deploys to Mideast
SAN DIEGO - About 340 Navy and Coast Guard personnel from the Navy’s Maritime Expeditionary Security Squadron ONE (MSRON ONE) will deploy today to the Middle East to provide seaward surveillance and security forces in amphibious areas and harbors, and military significant coastal and inshore areas in Iraq and Kuwait.
MSRON ONE embodies the 13th detachment of Maritime Expeditionary Security Forces that have been deployed to the 5th Fleet area of operations since the war began.
They will be joining 75 personnel who deployed earlier in November. The remaining members of the detachment are set to deploy in the next few months. Once the remaining members arrive in theater they will total 450 personnel.
MSRON ONE will continue the mission of providing harbor defense and port security to Kuwaiti and Iraqi seaward approaches and waterways to include manning Iraqi Oil Platforms, and providing force protection and escort services to designated assets transiting chokepoints and in ports.
MSRON ONE commanded by Capt. Luke McCollum, is comprised of MSRON ONE, USCG Port Security Unit 311, Long Beach, Ca.; Communications Division 52, Communications Detachment 521, and Sensor Detachment 522, San Diego; Boat Division 56 and Boat Detachment 562, Seal Beach, Ca.; Boat Detachment 932, Portland, Oregon; and Security Detachment 331, San Antonio, Texas.
MSRON ONE is part of the Navy Expeditionary Combat Command, a global force provider of adaptive force packages of expeditionary capabilities to joint warfighting commanders.
Making dreams come true by the PSU
by PA1 Allyson E.T. Conroy
For any child, spending a day with the Coast Guard would be something special. The unique experience of being able to have one-on-one time a unit is something quite out of the ordinary exciting. This was evident through the excitement that showned brightly in the smiles of eight-year-old Richie Wood when he had the opportunity be a Coastie for a Day with Port Security Unit (PSU) 311 in August.
Richie is no ordinary child. This hip-hop dancing, straight-A student, rock wall climber, was diagnosed with Goldenhar Syndrome at a very early age. Goldenhar Syndrome is a congenital birth defect, which has no genetic or hereditary cause, no cure and something Richie has had to live with for his entire life.
“He will be going though a series of surgeries to help correct some of the abnormalities in the way his body has developed, and those surgeries are very, very painful,” PSU commanding officer, Cmdr. Kenneth Stefanisin, explained why he invited Richie to the unit. “When he’s going to be coming up on things like this, [his parents] have always tried to do something special for him to help him get through this.”
At 7:30 a.m. sharp, the crew stood in formation waiting instruction from the commanding officer. Richie, standing next to PSC Ernest Gomez, already looked like a unit member, wearing the same desert uniform, even though it was little oversized, folded over at the waist and the sleeves were rolled to his elbows.
Stefanisin welcomed everyone with a booming command. “Good morning! Seaman Wood, front and center!”
A little intimidated at first, though also visibly excited, Richie marched to the commander’s side, closely following the chief. Once the new seaman was in position, the crew was officially introduced to their new member, and directed by Stefanisin to get him qualified in as many things as possible.
The day proved to be full of adventure for Richie with lots of activities. He started his day off with a tour of the unit’s boathouse and the Maritime Safety and Security Team’s boathouse next door. While he there, Gomez lifted him into the different boats and explained the equipment each boat had.
Once they were finished in the boathouse, Richie had the opportunity to go for a quick boat ride with the Los Angeles County Lifeguards. During his ride they met up with a boat crew from the MSST. The coxswain of the MSST boat and the lifeguards teamed together and allowed Richie to douse one of the MSST boat members with the water hose on the lifeguard boat. Richie’s smile was infectious, even to the drenched Coastie. After his ride with the lifeguards the excitement really kicked in.
The members of PSU 311 had two boats waiting for him at the Coast Guard dock to take him on a longer boat ride out to sea. On the way out Richie and the crew saw a couple of sea lions basking in the sun on top of the buoys. A little further out they discovered they were in a pod of dolphins that were playing around the boat. Then, about five miles out, it all changed.
In a simulated experience for Richie, the boat’s “secret gray phone” rang. The person on the other end told the coxswain that pirates were spotted offshore and Richie had to take out the engines! PS2 John Clark helped his new shipmate load the machine gun (with blanks) so he could fire at the simulated pirates. The pure joy of being able to do something to help keep Los Angeles safe from pretend pirates brought lots of cheering and laughter from the young Coastie for a Day.
Richie’s day concluded with the Chief’s Mess inducting him as an honorary Chief, which left him just about speechless.
“This is very special, Richie. They don’t even let me in!” Stefanisin told him, which brought laughter from the boy and everyone around.
“This was an incredibly special day for Richie,” his mother Tracy said.
It was also special to the crew.
“I always enjoy in participating in events where we get to educate kids and show them what we do,” Clark said. “This young little warrior walked tall and proud with an unbelievable confidence. I don’t believe anyone ever bothered to explain fear and failure to him. Then again, that is a luxury I believe he simply can’t afford.
“My job was to be a teacher and guide to Richie and give him the most out of the experience. I think I learned more by what Richie had to offer me. You can’t put any price or value on this kind of training.”
“Richie is one of the bravest, strongest kids I have ever met,” his mother said. “He has undergone countless operations, and has some really extensive surgeries coming up that would make an adult quiver just thinking about. But Richie just smiles, ‘cause he’s been there, done that.”
What was the best part of the day for Richie? He said he enjoyed everything; driving the boats, seeing the sea lions, playing with the dolphins and keeping Los Angeles safe, it was a true adventure for him. The smile that spread across his face, and the stories he was already telling his parents, said it all.
SAN PERO, Calif. - PSC Ernest Gomez and Seaman for a day Richie Wood salute colors Aug 16. Richie visited the Port Security Unit 311 and was able to participate in a couple of boat rides, shoot the machine gun and capped his day off by being made an honorary chief by the PSU’s Chief’s Mess.
Coast Guard photo by PA1 Allyson E.T. Conroy