CAMP PATRIOT, Kuwait — Commodore Scott Hudson, a native of West Chester, Ohio, assumed command of Task Group 56.5 from Capt. Luke McCollum during a change command at a ceremony here, June 30.

Task Group 56.5 is a composite of U.S. Navy and Coast Guardsmen of Maritime Expeditionary Security Squadron FIVE and Port Security Unit (PSU) 301 who recently deployed to Kuwait in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Coast Guard PSU's deploy as an integral part of the MSRON's under the Naval Expeditionary Combat Command.
During the ceremony, the Commodore talked about the importance of teamwork and complete integration of all components of the task group.

MSRON FIVE is an active squadron that is deployed under the transition from Naval Coastal Warfare to Maritime Expeditionary Security. It is the lead unit in Commander Task Group 56.5 and is heading a unique mix of non-organic units including detachments from MSRON EIGHT, augmented heavily by sailors from across the Reserve Force.


The collective Navy and Coast Guard team completed mobilization and pre-deployment work-ups across the United States in various locations on both the East and West Coasts including Cape Cod, Mass., Fort Dix, N.J., Newport, R.I. and San Diego, Calif. The leadership implemented an extremely aggressive training schedule that which incorporated Coast Guard and Navy tactics in a joint environment. This combined effort culminated in a successful evaluation by MSRON FIVE's parent unit, Maritime Expeditionary Security Group One.