Coast Guard Conducts Operations in Kuwait

CAMP PATRIOT, KUWAIT

08.07.2009

Story by Lt.j.g. Lisa Albaugh 

Commander Task Group 56.5

CAMP PATRIOT, Kuwait — U.S. Coast Guard Port Security Unit 301 from Cape Cod, Mass., arrived in Kuwait to relieve their west coast counterparts, Port Security Unit 311 from San Pedro, Calif. Members of PSU 301 were activated in early April and spent over two months planning for defense operations in support of the commander, U.S. Central Command.

An extremely aggressive training schedule was needed to incorporate Coast Guard, Army and Navy tactics to form the joint military environment in which they would be operating. Personnel from PSU 301 trained in various locations on both the East and West Coasts in preparation for this deployment, including: Cape Cod, Mass., Fort Dix, N.J., Newport, R.I., and San Diego, Calif.

PSU 301 completed all the training requirements mandatory for all Soldiers and Sailors deploying to the Middle East due to the early partnership formulated between Port Security Unit 311 and Port Security Unit 301.

Cmdr. Paul J. Smith, commanding officer of PSU 301 was a plank owner at PSU 311 and deployed to Iraq, Bahrain and Kuwait during the initial phases of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Smith and Cmdr. Kenneth G. Stefanisin, commanding officer of PSU 311 have been working together in the Port Security community over the past 15 years. Smith and Stefanisin had already established an excellent working relationship which led to a seamless transfer of authority that was accomplished in record time.

"PSU 311 is a mature unit with two prior Middle East deployments to their credit. They have set the bar high for us, but they also spent many days of work over the past several months preparing us with all that we would need to succeed. It was an odd moment in time to relieve Commander Stefanisin and my old unit in the same camp where we all worked together six years before. It is now up to us at PSU 301 to begin our own history in the Middle East," said Smith.

PSU 301 is comprised of Coast Guardsmen and women from a wide variety of backgrounds from throughout New England and beyond. As word spread of our pending deployment, many Guardians volunteered to join PSU 301. Three Sailors from Sector New York and one from Sector Providence requested transfer to PSU 301 in order to fill critical billet vacancies. Upon arrival, they quickly assumed leadership roles sharing the skills learned during their tenures as civilian law enforcement officers.

Petty Officer 1st Class Christopher Pupo is a sergeant with the New York City Police Department assigned to the Emergency Service Unit. Shortly after 9/11, he joined the Coast Guard in order to help America avoid another terrorist attack and to "better serve the NYPD, Coast Guard and the United States of America," Pupo said.

Petty Officer 2nd Class Jack Herzlinger also works as a police officer with the NYPD Emergency Services Unit. "I wanted to show my commitment to my country. My family is extremely proud of my military service. This is something that I can pass down to my son to let him know about the value of service to one's country. Freedom isn't free. We all need to do our part," said Herzlinger.

Petty Officer 3rd Class Carlos Sowell, an eleven year veteran of the Connecticut State Police, also joined the Coast Guard after 9/11. Sowell stated, "I entered the law enforcement community because I felt it was my duty as well as my personal instinct to defend and protect the citizen's of this country. After 9/11, I felt there was more I needed to do. Joining the Coast Guard afforded me the opportunity to fulfill my desire to serve my country in more than one capacity." He volunteered to join Port Security Unit 301 at the suggestion of Ensign Kia Clarke, Sowell's supervisor at Sector Southern New England. Clarke previously spent three years at PSU 301 as a Port Security Specialist in PSU 301's Security Division.

During their deployment to Kuwait, Port Security Unit 301 is working with U.S. Navy Maritime Expeditionary Squadron Five, an active duty unit from San Diego, Calif. PSU 301 and MSRON FIVE have combined to form Command Task Group 56.5, which is responsible for landside and seaward security missions throughout the North Persian Gulf.

• Date Taken: 08.07.2009
• Date Posted: 08.07.2009 10:17
• Story ID: 37250
• Location: CAMP PATRIOT, KW