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Port Security Unit
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Port Security Unit
The United States Coast Guard's Port Security Units (PSUs) are Deployable Specialized Forces organized for sustained expeditionary security and anti-terrorism. They conduct anti-terrorism force protection missions, which include harbor and port security, protection of High Value Assets (HVAs), defense of Sea Lines of Communication (SLOCs), coastal surveillance, and other expeditionary missions in support of regional combatant commanders.
Since their first major combat deployments during the Gulf War (Operation Desert Shield/Operation Desert Storm, 1990–1991), PSUs have maintained a strong history of overseas operations. They deployed again in force during Operation Iraqi Freedom, where PSUs 311 and 313 deployed during the Battle of Al Faw — securing captured Iraqi oil terminals immediately after the assault and providing critical port security at Battle of Umm Qasr. Throughout the Global War on Terror, including support for operations in Afghanistan, PSUs have conducted extended rotations in the Middle East notably through Patrol Forces Southwest Asia (PATFORSWA), performing maritime escorts, high-value asset protection, and force protection in high-threat environments.
PSUs are unique among Coast Guard units in that they can be rapidly requested and tasked by the Department of Defense. They are capable of deploying worldwide within 96 hours. PSUs often operate and integrate with the Marines and Navy Expeditionary Combat Command elements. PSUs are also the only Coast Guard element that provides land warfare security capabilities.
PSUs were originally part of the Coast Guard's Deployable Operations Group until it was decommissioned; PSUs are now a part of the reorganized Deployable Specialized Forces, which includes Maritime Security Response Team, Maritime Safety and Security Teams, and Tactical Law Enforcement Teams.
The Port Security program of the U.S. Coast Guard began as a result of the Black Tom explosion and the passage of the Espionage Act of 1917. The Coast Guard's Captains of the Port were given responsibility for the security of port areas under this act. During World War I, port security operations were conducted by active-duty personnel.
After World War I, interest in port security decreased until images of burning ships visible from US coastlines, as the country entered World War II, rekindled media and public concern. In World War II, the Coast Guard increased its involvement in port security by conducting more coastal patrols, defending waterfront structures, and assuring the safe movement of ships. This entailed searching merchant vessels, supervising combat loading, and seacoast defenses, such as machine gun nests. The Temporary Reserve was created and made up of armed volunteers under the command of the captain of the port. Over 125,000 citizens would eventually serve as Temporary Reserves.
During the early 1980s, Department of Defense planners formally identified the need for port security forces in OCONUS seaports. Dialogue began between the Army, Navy, and Coast Guard, and the concept of the deployable Port Security Unit (PSU) was born. In January 1985, the commandant of the Coast Guard approved three national PSUs to respond to the requirements of Department of Defense operations plans. The three units were located in the U.S. Coast Guard Great Lakes District, then known as District 9, at Buffalo, New York; Cleveland, Ohio; and Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
In addition to operations around the world, PSUs were first deployed to the Persian Gulf during the Gulf War in 1990. They operated in Haiti during Operation Uphold Democracy in 1994, responded to Port-au-Prince immediately after the devastating 2010 earthquake, and responded to various natural disasters in the United States, such as Hurricane Maria and Hurricane Ida.
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Port Security Unit
The United States Coast Guard's Port Security Units (PSUs) are Deployable Specialized Forces organized for sustained expeditionary security and anti-terrorism. They conduct anti-terrorism force protection missions, which include harbor and port security, protection of High Value Assets (HVAs), defense of Sea Lines of Communication (SLOCs), coastal surveillance, and other expeditionary missions in support of regional combatant commanders.
Since their first major combat deployments during the Gulf War (Operation Desert Shield/Operation Desert Storm, 1990–1991), PSUs have maintained a strong history of overseas operations. They deployed again in force during Operation Iraqi Freedom, where PSUs 311 and 313 deployed during the Battle of Al Faw — securing captured Iraqi oil terminals immediately after the assault and providing critical port security at Battle of Umm Qasr. Throughout the Global War on Terror, including support for operations in Afghanistan, PSUs have conducted extended rotations in the Middle East notably through Patrol Forces Southwest Asia (PATFORSWA), performing maritime escorts, high-value asset protection, and force protection in high-threat environments.
PSUs are unique among Coast Guard units in that they can be rapidly requested and tasked by the Department of Defense. They are capable of deploying worldwide within 96 hours. PSUs often operate and integrate with the Marines and Navy Expeditionary Combat Command elements. PSUs are also the only Coast Guard element that provides land warfare security capabilities.
PSUs were originally part of the Coast Guard's Deployable Operations Group until it was decommissioned; PSUs are now a part of the reorganized Deployable Specialized Forces, which includes Maritime Security Response Team, Maritime Safety and Security Teams, and Tactical Law Enforcement Teams.
The Port Security program of the U.S. Coast Guard began as a result of the Black Tom explosion and the passage of the Espionage Act of 1917. The Coast Guard's Captains of the Port were given responsibility for the security of port areas under this act. During World War I, port security operations were conducted by active-duty personnel.
After World War I, interest in port security decreased until images of burning ships visible from US coastlines, as the country entered World War II, rekindled media and public concern. In World War II, the Coast Guard increased its involvement in port security by conducting more coastal patrols, defending waterfront structures, and assuring the safe movement of ships. This entailed searching merchant vessels, supervising combat loading, and seacoast defenses, such as machine gun nests. The Temporary Reserve was created and made up of armed volunteers under the command of the captain of the port. Over 125,000 citizens would eventually serve as Temporary Reserves.
During the early 1980s, Department of Defense planners formally identified the need for port security forces in OCONUS seaports. Dialogue began between the Army, Navy, and Coast Guard, and the concept of the deployable Port Security Unit (PSU) was born. In January 1985, the commandant of the Coast Guard approved three national PSUs to respond to the requirements of Department of Defense operations plans. The three units were located in the U.S. Coast Guard Great Lakes District, then known as District 9, at Buffalo, New York; Cleveland, Ohio; and Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
In addition to operations around the world, PSUs were first deployed to the Persian Gulf during the Gulf War in 1990. They operated in Haiti during Operation Uphold Democracy in 1994, responded to Port-au-Prince immediately after the devastating 2010 earthquake, and responded to various natural disasters in the United States, such as Hurricane Maria and Hurricane Ida.
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