R 051830Z OCT 12

ALCOAST 444/12
COMDTNOTE 16611
SUBJ: SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF PSU OPERATIONS IN THE CENTCOM THEATER
OF OPERATIONS
1. Shipmates, I am pleased to announce that with the stateside return
of PSU 309, and after nine years of continuous deployment to the
CENTCOM Theater of Operations, Coast Guard Port Security Units (PSU)
have successfully completed long-term operations supporting the
Department of Defense at Kuwait Naval Base (KNB) and are redeployed
in preparation for other missions.
2. For almost a decade, more than 2,000 men and women in our Reserve
community have proudly served in PSUs alongside the US Navy, US Army
and our own active Coast Guard contingent of cutters and support
personnel at KNB and Naval Support Activities in Bahrain. The primary
mission of the PSU was to secure the landside and seaward approaches
to the ports of Ash Shuaybah, KNB and the Al Basra Oil Terminal.
These vital deep draft ports were the entry point for millions of
tons of ammunition, supplies and fuel destined for the war efforts in
Iraq and Afghanistan. In addition, PSU efforts protecting the oil
platforms in the North Arabian Gulf facilitated the free flow of
commerce in the region as well as the continued flow of petroleum
products bound for countries around the world. This flow of commerce
was vital to the economies in the region and the success of coalition
efforts.
3. At the height of operations, the PSU and forces supporting the
Combined Task Group escorted or provided security to almost 300 ships
per year. On average, the PSUs conducted 50 sorties a week and
completed 4,600 underway boat hours each year. This arduous and
demanding work was performed in extreme and often dangerous
conditions, and the remarkable proficiency of craft achieved by our
PSUs was on constant display. The willingness of our Reserve PSU
members to repeatedly  put their lives and civilian careers on hold
to serve our country is truly inspiring. No less inspiring are the
sacrifices made by family members supporting deployments. I offer my
respect and gratitude for this outstanding work ensuring the success
of our mission, our Service and our nation.
4. While we recognize this significant milestone for PSUs, active
duty and Reserve men and women continue to support the CENTCOM
Theater of Operations, and we thank them for their continued service
in support of national security.
5. PSUs have once again demonstrated their unique value as an
essential component of Coast Guard Deployable Specialized Forces.
They have forged lasting partnerships with our DOD partners that will
benefit our Service for years and embody our number one Service
priority: sustained mission excellence. Semper Paratus and Bravo
Zulu.
6. ADM Bob Papp, Commandant sends.
7. Internet release authorized.