Operation Bahamas, Turks and Caicos (OPBAT)
Contact Info
Operations Center: (242) 325-0664
Mailing Address
(packages forwarded to Nassau, Bahamas)
USCG OPBAT OPCEN
3370 Nassau Place
Dulles, VA 20189-3370
Unit Info Sheet for Reporting Personnel
About OPBAT...
Operation Bahamas, Turks and Caicos (OPBAT) is a combined Coast Guard, DEA and Government of Bahamas partnership to combat drug smuggling to and from the Bahamas. The OPBAT Operations Center is responsible for initiating and prosecuting law enforcement cases in the Bahamian area of responsibility (AOR). In addition, OPBAT assets regularly assist with prosecuting human smuggling and search and rescue cases throughout the AOR.
This assignment requires the completion of the Overseas Screening package, located in chapter 4.H of the CG Personnel Manual, M1000.6A. OPBAT's entry approval point is CCGD17 Miami, FL (dma). Ensure your and your dependents’ U.S. Passport, military ID, and U.S. driver’s licenses are up to date before traveling and will not expire during your tour. Ensure you hand-carry your medical record, PDR, and official travel orders.
OPBAT is located in the American Embassy on Queen Street in downtown Nassau. Please contact the OPBAT watch floor at 242-325-0664 before getting on your flight to Nassau so we can have the duty driver meet you and your family and pick you up at Lynden Pindling International Airport. Work with your sponsor to make hotel reservations at the Hilton British Colonial, which is located across the street from the Embassy.
The islands of the Bahamas are some of the most beautiful islands in the world. Whether you prefer land-based or water-based activities, there are lots of great things to see and do here. There are over 700 islands in the Bahamas, home to picturesque beaches, amazing coral reefs and marine life for snorkeling or scuba diving, and host of golf courses, water sports and shopping districts. Your tour here will be one of the most memorable in your Coast Guard career.
Director's Biography
Commander Louie C. Parks Jr. is a native of Pensacola, and holds a B.A. degree in Economics from the University of West Florida. He is currently a candidate for an M.A. in Economics from the University of Oklahoma.
He graduated as a Seaman Apprentice from Basic Training in Cape May, New Jersey, on April 12, 1994, and was distinguished with the Navy League’s Company Leadership award. After reporting aboard DURABLE, he served in Operations’ Able Vigil, Able Manner and Uphold Democracy where DURABLE interdicted and rescued nearly 2,000 migrants and escorted Naval and Army amphibious forces into the Bay of Haiti.
Commander Parks was selected as an honor platoon Leader when he graduated from USCG OCS in Yorktown, VA in May 1995, and received orders for Mobile, AL. As a Group Operational Controller and Communications Officer at Group Mobile, he coordinated the execution of nearly 300 search and rescue cases and 30 law enforcement missions. He helped direct response and recovery efforts during three major Gulf Coast hurricanes. Additionally, he deployed to the Coast Guard’s Greater Antilles Section, Puerto Rico, where he served in the Operations Department during Operation Uphold Democracy.
He began Naval Flight Training in 1996, at N.A.S. Pensacola, Florida, and upon graduation, reported to USCG Air Station Borinquen, Puerto Rico as an HH65A Dauphin helicopter co-pilot. He served as Training, Education, Transportation, and Community Services Officer and flew nearly 1,000 hours in the execution of 250 Search and Rescue and Law Enforcement missions.
He reported for duty aboard Air Station New Orleans, Louisiana in 2002, and served as Instructor Pilot, Flight Examiner, Standardization Officer, Assistant Operations Officer, Facilities Engineer and spearheaded new procedures for, and employment of, Airborne Vertical Delivery missions to support his unit’s highly active role in Maritime Homeland Security. He also served as the District Eight Air Operations Supervisor during Hurricane Katrina. For 30 continuous days he helped direct the response efforts of nearly 1/3 of the Coast Guard’s entire aviation inventory, including hundreds of DOD, local, state and federal Law Enforcement Agency assets and personnel in the rescue of nearly 28,000 Gulf Coast citizens.
In 2006 he was assigned to Air Station Barbers Point, Hawaii and again served as an HH-65C Instructor Pilot, Flight Examiner, Standardization Pilot, Assistant Operations Officer & Facilities Engineer.
Upon completion of his tour in Hawaii in 2009, Commander Parks assumed the position of Director, Operation Bahamas, Turks and Caicos. Within the first few months of his assignment, from an isolated aviation outpost in the Turks and Caicos Islands, Commander Parks helped organize and direct the efforts of a coalition of Coast Guard, DOD and civilian aircraft, crews and first responders, in response to the devastating 7.1 magnitude earthquake that struck Port Au Prince Haiti.
Commander Parks has logged over 3,100 flight hours in the HH-65C Dauphin Helicopter. His military awards include: The Coast Guard Meritorious Service Medal, (4) Coast Guard Commendation Medals, & (3) Coast Guard Achievement Medals. He is married to Elizabeth L. Tucker, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
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