Grand Haven – Three specialized U.S. Coast Guard units will be on display during the 2010 Coast Guard Festival, featuring security and K-9 teams and hazardous incident responders and equipment.
Port Security Unit 309 from Port Clinton, Ohio, will return for its 15th festival. PSU members will display one of their transportable port security boats and other specialized gear in Mulligan’s Hollow for Kids Day Aug. 3, and at Escanaba Park at times noted below. PSU 309 will also participate in the Coast Guard National Memorial Service Aug. 6 and the Grand Parade Aug. 7.
Members of Maritime Safety and Security Team Kings Bay, Ga., will exhibit their K-9 team at Kids day and at Escanaba Park at times noted below. The handler will demonstrate the dog’s abilities to find contraband.
The Atlantic Strike Team from Fort Dix, N.J., returns to showcase their ability to respond to hazardous incidents of all types. They will display their level A hazardous material entry team and a miniature ANDROS robot in Escanaba Park at times noted below. They will also participate in the Grand Parade.
All three units are deployable support forces and are part of the Coast Guard’s Deployable Operations Group, which provides expeditionary forces to meet threats around the nation and world.
Additionally personnel from Coast Guard Sector Field Office Grand Haven will operate the popular mobile damage-control wet trainer during Kids Day.
The Coast Guard is committed to making the public’s experience a pleasant one and asks for everyone’s cooperation and patience with safety and security requirements, including bag searches and frequent rest periods for the working dogs.
All events are free to the public. Coast Guard personnel will be available to answer questions.