MANSFIELD, Ohio – A Port Clinton, Ohio, based Coast Guard Reserve unit is scheduled to return from a three-month deployment to the Middle East in support of Operation Enduring Freedom Wednesday, Oct. 3.
During the deployment, Port Security Unit 309 provided seaward security at strategic port locations around the North Arabian Gulf ensuring the free flow of personnel, equipment and commerce in the region.
Capstoning nearly 10-years of Coast Guard operations, the PSUs were released from their Operational Responsibilities supporting Task Group 56.5 at Kuwait Naval Base, Sept. 24.
“During the past nine-and-a-half years, more than 2,000 PSU members have teamed with our Navy brothers and sisters in arms to protect high-value assets carrying millions of tons worth of ammunition, fuel, and equipment,” said Capt. Gene Gray, Deployable Operations Group commander. “These efforts ensured the operational commanders in both the Iraq and Afghanistan theaters had the flexibility to adjust to strategic situations and shifts in offensive operations.”
PSU 309 conducted joint operations and training with the Navy’s Maritime Expeditionary Squadron Three as part of Combined Task Group 56.5, under the Naval Expeditionary Combat Command. CTG 56.5 is charged with providing harbor defense and security to ports, seaward approaches, and waterways within U.S. Central Command’s area of responsibility.
“I’m very proud of the PSU 309 crew,” said Cmdr. Gerald A. Nauert, PSU 309’s commanding officer. “They provided security to Northern Arabian ports and honed their skills, keeping the edge on the sword. In addition to that, they also cleaned house and prepared the nearly 10-years of accumulated equipment for our demobilization.”
PSU 309 can trace its history back to mid-80s and early 90s when PSUs were "notional" units, meaning they would remain in a training phase mainly manned by reservists until they were activated to a deployed area as a Rapid Deployment Force.
With the commissioning of PSU 309, in 1995, such units moved from a notional unit to a self-sustaining Coast Guard unit with a proud operational heritage, including missions in support of Operations’ Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom, Desert Storm, Noble Eagle, and Uphold Democracy.
PSUs are a component of the Coast Guard’s Deployable Operations Group (DOG). The DOG provides properly equipped, trained and organized Deployable Specialized Forces (DSFs) to Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security, Department of Defense, interagency operational and tactical commanders.
For more information on the DOG, go to www.dog.uscgnews.com.
Editors Note – Media are invited to attend the homecoming and should contact PA2 Michael Anderson at (202) 631-3313 to arrange access to Mansfield Lahm Air National Guard Base, 1947 Harrington Memorial Road, Mansfield, Ohio, 44903.
120730-G-ZZ999-001 PSU 309 patrols Northern Arabian Gulf
Camp Patriot, Kuwait â A Coast Guard Transportable Port Security Boat, crewed by members of Port Security Unit 309, on a morning patrol in the Northern Arabian Gulf in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, July 30. Coast Guard PSUs merge with the Navyâs Maritime Expeditionary Squadrons to form Combined Task Group 56.5, and are charged with providing harbor defense and security to ports, seaward approaches and waterways within U.S. Central Commandâs area of responsibility.
120502-G-BV859-141 PSU 309 and MSRON 3 pre-deployment training
SAN DIEGO — A Port Security Unit 309 boat crew conducts tactical boat crew training during a pre-deployment exercise at Naval Amphibious Base Coronado, Calif., May 2, 2012. During the exercise, PSU 309 conducted joint point defense, harbor security and escort missions with Navy Maritime Security Squadron 3. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Michael Anderson