Military Operations

to meet the panorama of national security issues that we face. Coast Guard active duty

and reserve components provide capabilities not available from other military services:

maritime interception operations, environmental defense operations, and deployed port

security and defense operations. These Coast Guard capabilities were demonstrated during

Operation Uphold Democracy in Haiti where Coast Guard aircraft, cutters, and port

security units played a vital role.

More than 40 of the world's 70 naval forces are, in essence, "coast guards." We are the

best U.S. liaison to assist these forces in developing into strong, stable organizations

that help maintain democratic governments throughout the world.

Key factors

The Coast Guard is a multimissioned service that must simultaneously carry out everyday

missions such as drug enforcement, fisheries, and rescues, while maintaining a high

level of readiness for military missions that we may be called upon to participate in at

any time. The operational tempo of non- military missions as well as the tempo of

national security operations can impact our ability to maintain readiness.

Strategies

The Coast Guard seeks to maintain the cutter and aircraft readiness, and operational

expertise needed to respond to all Department of State and Department of Defense mission

requests. The Coast Guard is specifically tasked to participate in Department of Defense

engagement strategies.

The Coast Guard continues to play a role supporting national interests in the Persian

Gulf. Coast Guard deepwater cutters have been conducting maritime intercept operations

to enforce the United Nations embargo against Iraq. They have interdicted several

vessels attempting to transport petroleum products in violation of the embargo.

Coast Guard cutters and other forces support Peacetime Engagement and Enlargement under

the National Security Strategy. Engagement will include UNITAS training and assistance

cutter deployments with the U.S. Navy to the Caribbean, South America, and Central

America; cutter deployments to the Mediterranean and Black Seas; and training assistance

to the Haitian Coast Guard and Peruvian armed forces.

Coordination

The Department of Defense coordinates the assigned roles of each service.

The Coast

Guard may operate under the Secretary of the Navy in times of war.

48 National Defense