PORT SECURITY UNIT 305
FORT EUSTIS, VIRGINIA
OVERVIEW
This page contains information about:
- Port Security Unit 305
- Port Security Units
- Other Port Security Units
- Other Military Services that work with PSUs
- Directions to Port Security Unit 305
- Unit Ombudsman
WHO IS PORT SECURITY UNIT 305?
PSU 305 is an active duty commissioned Coast Guard Unit assigned to Commander, Coast Guard Atlantic Area. When activated, it operates under the direction of Commander, Maritime Defense Zone Atlantic or a Department of Defense Combatant Commander.
Mission
PSU 305's mission is to provide port security in support of military or humanitarian operations worldwide. The Unit is required to be air-deployable within 96 hours after recall, and self-sufficient for 30 days with the exception of fresh water and fuel.
History
PSU 305 first mustered as a Unit on October 15 1994 at the Coast Guard Training Center in Yorktown, Virginia. Three months later the unit relocated to its present facility at the U.S. Army Transportation Center, Fort Eustis, Virginia. PSU 305 was formally commissioned on August 19, 1995 ten months after stand-up, in a formal ceremony held at Fort Eustis.
Deployments
PSU 305's first deployment as a Unit occurred in April 1995 when it participated in Allegiant Sentry 95, a major exercise held at the Coast Guard's Recruit Training Center in Cape May, New Jersey. Between 1996 and 2000, the unit conducted additional training deployments to the Turkey, Panama and Egypt.
Since September 11, 2001, PSU-305 has conducted several operational deployments as a part of the Global War on Terror. Immediately following the attacks on the World Trade Center, the unit mobilized to New York harbor as a part of OPERATION Noble Eagle. The unit has deployed twice to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, in support of OPERATION Enduring Freedom; and once to Rota, Spain in support of OPERATION Iraqi Freedom. The unit has distinguished itself by receiving the Coast Guard Meritorious Unit Commendation twice (1997 and 2003), the Morris Award for mobilization readiness twice (1997 and 1999), and the Navy Unit Commendation once (2003).
Coast Guard Port Security Units are deployable units organized for sustained operations. They can deploy within 96 hours and establish operations within 24 hours. PSUs conduct OCONUS port security in support of requesting regional CINC's. They provide waterside protection to key assests (e.g. pier areas, high value vessels, harbor entrances) at the termination/origination point of the Sea Lines of Communications (SLOCs). PSU's may operate in U.S. territorial waters under the direction of a Coast Guard or Maritime Defense Zone (MDZ) command or in foreign waters as part of the Harbor Defense Command (HDC) within the Naval Coastal Warfare Command Structure.
Each PSU has 6 fast and maneuverable Transportable Port Security Boats (TPSBs) - 25' Boston Whalers outfitted with two 175 horsepower outboard engines. The PSU has a large suite of weapons. Each unit is outfitted with spare material, pick-up trucks and vans, boat trailers, transportable kitchens, tents, and DoD-compatible radios. They maintain an inventory of equipment and spare parts to sustain operations for up to 30 days. Ongoing logistics support provides routine replenishment. All personnel have required individual gear for field operations.
Each PSU is staffed by 140 reservists and 5 active duty personnel. Personnel prepare for contingency operations during weekend drills and normally participate in either an exercise or specialized training during two weeks of annual Active Duty.
There are eight Coast Guard Port Security Units. The USCG Special Missions Training Center in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina is responsible for certain PSU training. PSU base/shore facilities are in the following locations:
- PSU 301 - Cape Cod, Massachusetts
- PSU 305 - Fort Eustis, Virginia
- PSU 307 - St. Petersburg, Florida
- PSU 308 - Gulfport, Mississippi
- PSU 309 - Port Clinton, Ohio
- PSU 311 - San Pedro, California
- PSU 312 - San Francisco, California
- PSU 313 - Tacoma, Washington
- USCG Special Missions Training Center - Camp Lejeune, North Carolina
DO PSUs INTERACT WITH THE OTHER SERVICE BRANCHES?
PSUs may operate independently or with other naval coastal warfare units, including:
- COAST GUARD: High Endurance Cutters; Patrol Boats
- MARINE CORPS: Fleet Anti-Terrorism Security Teams
- ARMY: Military Police
- NAVY: Naval Coastal Warfare Group; Naval Coastal Warfare Squadron; Mobile Security Unit; Mobile Security Detachment; Mobile Inshore Undersea Warfare (MIUW) Unit; Inshore Boat Unit (IBU)
Visit MapQuest, and map your directions to the Unit. We are located at:
U.S. Army Transportation Center 2747 Taylor Ave
Fort Eustis, VA 23604
Amy Priest
Ombudsman, Unit 305
amp_fb@comcast.net
410-924-8253 (call or txt)
USCG Port Security Unit 305
U.S. Army Transportation Center 2747 Taylor Ave
• Fort Eustis, VA 23604 • 757-878-5922
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