May 19, 2004

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Coast Guard Port Security Unit Helps Protect Largest Redeployment of Troops and Equipment Since WWII
Story and photos by PA1 Matthew Belson

Machinery Technician 2nd Class Mike Ransdell keeps a look out for possible threats during a high speed security patrol.

Before Boatswain's Mate 2nd Class Melissa Steinman can maneuver her 25-foot Transportable Security Boat away from the dock to start a patrol of the Kuwaiti port of Ash Shuaiba the weapons are inspected and the critical mechanical systems must first be checked by her two crewmembers. As the coxswain, she is responsible for the safety of her crew and ensuring that her boat is capable of operating during the eight hours of a security patrol.

Steinman and her two crewmembers, Machinery Technician 2nd Class Mike Ransdell, 32, and Boatswain's Mate 3rd Class Robby Peterson, 24, both from Clearwater, Fla., are part of Coast Guard Port Security Unit (PSU) 307 from St. Petersburg, Fla., deployed to Ash Shauiba since February. Their mission: To guard the largest redeployment of troops and equipment since WWII.

"There is a reason for us to be here and we need to have our heads screwed on," said the 24-year-old Steinman, originally from Ashland, Ore., and attends the Florida Institute of Technology in Melbourne. She explained how challenging it could be to determine possible threats in the port where there is heavy commercial traffic." We are always doing 'what if' scenarios when we are on a patrol. You have to assess all of the possibilities and it helps to heighten your situational awareness," she added.

The threat of an attack was made all too clear when two coordinated terrorist suicide attacks were launched against Iraq's two offshore oil terminals. Two U.S. sailors and one Coast Guardsman were killed-the first Coast Guard combat fatality since the Vietnam War-when the vessel they were in the process of trying to stop exploded.

Steinman and her crew are not the only boats protecting the U.S. Navy's cargo ships. Several boats are always patrolling and provide coverage around-the-clock. The members of PSU 307 are a part of Naval Coastal Warfare Group One (NCWG-1), and work closely with Navy boat units and shore side command and control groups. A joint Navy and Coast Guard team, Harbor Defense Command Unit 111 from Alameda, Calif., is commanded by a Coast Guard Captain and overseas the security for the entire port.

The integration of the respective services extends even to living quarters where the Coast Guard and Navy personnel of NCWG-1 live in tents at nearby Camp Spearhead.

"The mission comes first and we are going to be a team player," said Cdr. Bauer, from Putnam Valley, N.Y., commanding officer of PSU 307.

Reservists with diverse backgrounds, including law enforcement experience, primarily staff the Coast Guard and Navy units.

"We bring professionalism and a maturity level which is really high," said Bauer.

The troops and equipment are heading into and out of Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

However, for the reservists of PSU 307 the past two years since 9/11 has been spent either on a deployment overseas or preparing for one. Since the unit was formed in 1998 members of PSU 307 have deployed to such places as South Korea; New York City and Boston following 9/11; Guantanimo Bay, Cuba, and now to Ash Shuaiba. Frequent deployments can be difficult, placing a strain on families and jobs left behind.

"We've been deployed every year since our commissioning either for training but mostly on missions," said Port Security Specialist 1st Class Scott Lucia, 42, from Ft. Myers, Fla., who is one of the coxswains for PSU 307.

The force protection mission of the PSU is not limited to the water. On the shore, members of the shore side security section man check points. Trained in land combat techniques they control the entry and exit of vehicles and people transiting the loading area. Dressed in desert camouflage uniforms, wearing helmets and body armor, the Coast Guard men and women at these posts ensure that I.D.s are checked and vehicles inspected for possible explosives.

"It's tough to turn off the police mode because you are always thinking the 'what ifs,' at the checkpoints," said Port Security Specialist 2nd Class Steven Gruber, 28, from Ft. Myers, Fla., who is a police officer like many in his squad.

Even with the frequent deployments the morale of the all-volunteer unit remains high. "I came in after 9/11 to do my part," said Port Security Specialist 3rd Class Rafael Ortiz, 30, from Sarasota, Fla. "I saw all of these guys leaving their wives and families and thought, 'why shouldn't I?' It gets boring checking for I.D.s but it is dangerous," he added.

Boatswain's Mate 2nd Class Melissa Steinman maneuvers a 25-foot Transportable Security Boat during patrol.

There are constant visible reminders of the ongoing mission in Iraq and the members of PSU 307 at the check points and on the water can see first hand the massive redeployment of troops and equipment leaving Iraq and their replacements heading North. Hundreds of trucks, tanks and HUMVEES can pass through in a matter of hours. Sometimes the reminders of how dangerous and real the threat of violence are all too clear as a towed vehicle is loaded on to a container ship--twisted and charred from the force of the explosion from an Improvised Explosive Device in Iraq.

"The most challenging thing here is what hasn't happened yet, and what you hope doesn't happen which is making a decision to fire on a vessel," said Machinery Technician 2nd Class Mike Ransdell, 32, from Clearwater, Fla., "Here you can see there is a mission."

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