USCG Atlantic Strike Team trains on Delaware River

UNITED STATES

10.28.2016

Story by Airman 1st Class Zachary Martyn 

Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst

An oil spill can be devastating to the environment, community and economy. Fortunately, the United States Coast Guard Atlantic Strike Team possesses the ability to rapidly deploy and augment the cleanup of any oil spill in the region.



During a recent training on the Delaware River, the AST utilized oil detection equipment which, in a real world situation, would help all agencies involved correctly gauge an appropriate response to an oil spill and accurately determine placement of a containment boom to reduce the possibility of the spill polluting the environment.



"The training was a great opportunity to break out our equipment and prepare to work in a marine environment," said Machinery Technician 1 David Hamilton, AST response technician. “A lot of the time this kind of training is done on land; doing it on the water better prepares us for a real-world situation."



The equipment utilized in training would be used to detect oil parts per millionth in the water. At higher concentrations, oil can be catastrophic to aquatic life. A quick response time helps minimize damage to vulnerable plant and animal species and the AST continually trains to achieve that speed.



"The sooner we can get out there and contain the spill, the better we're able to minimize the impact to the environment," said Lt. j.g. Kathleen Dillon, AST response officer. “When we arrive on scene we provide crucial assistance to some of the larger organizations involved in the cleanup.”



The AST prides themselves on their preparation, response time and ability to accomplish their mission of hazardous material cleanup with a small cohesive unit, explained Dillon.



"At any moment we're immediately ready to drive out of the door with the equipment that we need," said Dillon. "World's best responders. Any time, any place, any hazard."

• Date Taken: 10.28.2016
• Date Posted: 12.07.2016 14:12
• Story ID: 216718
• Location: US