Photo By Petty Officer 1st Class Maddelin Hamm | A U.S. Coastguardsman, attached to U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Mohawk, throws a line...... read more read more
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GUANTANAMO BAY, Cuba - Maritime Safety and Security Team Boston, assigned to Joint Task Force Guantanamo, greeted Coast Guard Cutters Mohawk and Gallatin as they entered Guantanamo Bay, each for a scheduled port call, July 9.
MSSTs are anti-terrorism teams established to protect local maritime assets. They are units with both shore and waterside capabilities used to detect and if necessary stop threats.
MSST Boston is currently serving a six-month tour supporting JTF Guantanamo security operations. The unit’s Operations Officer, Lt.j.g. Thomas Wieland, said his team volunteered to come out on a Saturday to conduct extra training and greet their fellow Coasties entering the bay.
“Because we’re always operating, its can be difficult to get training involved in the schedule,” said Wieland, “so coming out here on a Saturday to get some training done and watch how the anti-terrorism force protection boat does their job is very beneficial.”
The ATFP watch provides an important aspect of security to the JTF and Naval Station while ensuring a constant eye is kept on watch.
“Throughout the week we have cutters coming in,” said Wieland. “As part of our mission, we stand a 24-hour anti-terrorism force protection watch out here.”
Chief Petty Officer Scott Braithwaite, boatswain's mate, waterside crew chief for MSST Boston, said he’s been stationed on cutters, but never conducted small boat operations.
“I needed to get some good training on this platform,” said Braithwaite. “It’s getting the basics down. We have a qualifications process we have to go through, so one of our top coxswains is helping us.”
Petty Officer 1st Class Tom Pease, boatswain's mate, a tactical boat coxswain with 12 years in the Coast Guard, drove the training platform for the day and explained what the watch boat was doing as the cutters came in.
“Basically we scan the area,” said Pease, “and make sure there are no other vessels around to ensure their transit is clear and safe coming in.”
After the cutters came in, the morning continued with basic man overboard and towing drills.
“It’s important to make sure everyone stays current on their qualifications,” said Pease, who looks for maturity, good decision making and safety while training his crewmembers. “So, we’re running them through some drills today and continuing their qualifications.”
Aside from their regular 24-hour watch, MSST Boston also assists with distinguished visitor transportation and supports all applicable missions both on shore and on the bay.
“This gets them a good amount of training in a short period of time,” said Wieland. “We are out today conducting training on security zone enforcement, a common skill we are required to use when we are working CONUS back in Boston, or deployed throughout the country.”
| Date Taken: | 07.09.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 07.13.2011 15:38 |
| Story ID: | 73664 |
| Location: | GUANTANAMO BAY, CU |
| Web Views: | 512 |
| Downloads: | 2 |
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