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Two tactically-loaded U.S. Army Zodiac rigid-hulled inflatable
boats disappeared into the jagged backdrop and shadows of the
cliffside that towers over the massive expanse of the Pacific Ocean
on a special reconnaissance mission to recover a high-value target.
Using various tools and a high level of training, nine Army
Green Berets and three communications specialists made a beach
landing and stormed Camp Rilea, an Oregon Army National Guard
Training Center in Warrenton, Oregon.
A few miles offshore,
the Coast Guard Cutter Fir, a 225-foot seagoing buoy tender,
transited in the same direction as the Zodiacs, keeping a close eye
on their sister servicemembers, being careful not to impede the
mission, but still ensure the safety of the 10th Special Forces
Group.
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Soldiers from the U.S. Army 10th Special Forces Group, out of Army Base Fort Carson, Colo., prepare their Zodiac rigid-hulled inflatable boats for deployment while aboard the Coast Guard Cutter Fir, a 225-foot Sea-going Buoy Tender during transit off the northern coast of Oregon, June 22, 2016. The cutter supplied equipment storage and deployment during a joint-agency operation. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Levi Read)
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“What we just completed makes a global impact,” said Chief
Warrant Officer Scott Mooneyham, engineering officer of the Fir. “We
used the knowledge, techniques and equipment that we use every day
in aids to navigation to deploy U.S. Army Green Berets. This
operation helped them train for something they may encounter
overseas.”
A phone call originating from Army Base Fort
Carson, Colorado, to the engineering officer aboard the Fir, got the
ball rolling for a joint agency operational exercise. Because of its
unique capabilities, the Fir was able to supply what the Green
Berets needed for their culminating operation of a three-week,
full-mission profile exercise.
“They asked for assistance
with a multi-stage operation that I felt we were qualified for right
away,” said Mooneyham. “I thought that the functionality of the
operation fit well within our operational capabilities, so I routed
the request to the commanding officer for approval.”
The
Special Forces Group needed cargo space for their two Zodiac boats
and outboard boat motors, a platform large enough to deploy to from
the air and equipment to maneuver and launch the Zodiacs.
The
Fir has heavy lift capabilities with a crane that can extend to 60
feet and lift up to 40,000 pounds. The buoys the crew normally
services range in size from 13 feet tall and 5 feet wide to 35 feet
tall and 9 feet wide and weigh up to 18,000 pounds. The crane, cargo
hold and large buoy deck close to the waterline with a crew
experienced in rigging on a seaway made the Fir an ideal platform.
“Anytime we can participate in an exercise with another
government agency, it prepares us for any crises that may emerge due
to natural disasters or homeland attacks,” said Cmdr. Kristen
Serumgard, commanding officer of the Fir. “We started a relationship
and were able to exchange mutual information and learn about each
other's missions.”
This operational exercise with the Green
Berets also gave the crewmembers aboard Fir an opportunity to train
with air operators that share an area of responsibility.
“This was a first for me in working with the MH-60 Jayhawks, and
a first for my most of my crew in any helicopter operations,” said
Serumgard. “It was a great opportunity for my junior officers to
work with, communicate with and coordinate with the pilots.”
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A Zodiac, rigid-hulled inflatable boat, filled with six members of a U.S. Army special forces unit, out of Army Base Fort Carson, Colo., transits away from the Coast Guard Cutter Fir, a 225-foot Sea-going Buoy Tender, after the cutter's crew lowered the Zodiac into the Pacific Ocean near Warrenton, Ore., during a joint-agency operation, June 22, 201 (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Levi Read)
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A Coast Guard Air Station Astoria aircrew transported the
soldiers from Air Station Astoria, located in Warrenton, to
the Fir where they individually lowered each one using the
helicopters signature hoist capabilities.
“The goal
in conducting this operation the way we did was to glean
knowledge from our sister service while developing
relationships with our maritime partners,” said U.S. Army
Capt. Brandon*, team leader of 10th Special Forces Group.
“We were able to learn and understand their capabilities,
see how they work, and ultimately increase our
interoperability in a maritime environment.”
The Army
has the resources and capabilities to conduct an operation
like this on their own, but the maritime knowledge and
resources available from the U.S. Coast Guard is an
important baseline understanding to have for future
missions.
“The entire operation was an absolute
success, and I am grateful to have had the opportunity to
help a sister service complete a training exercise nine
months in the making,” said Mooneyham. “The planning process
was challenging, working around operational schedules and
the communication gaps they create. I am grateful to say
that the execution of the operation went very smooth. The
execution was successful because of the professional
competence and flexibility of both the special forces unit
and the cutter crew.”
The Fir crew resumed their
normal aids to navigation mission and the Green Berets made
landfall and continued their overnight assault on Camp Rilea
to gain control over the high-value target they were
assigned to secure.
Though our sister service may
have different missions, this cooperative exercise between
the Coast Guard and Army demonstrated the global impact both
services can make working together.
*Capt. Brandon's
full identity is being withheld due to operational security
measures.
By U.S. Coast Guard Petty Officer 1st Class Levi Read
Provided
through
Coast
Guard
Copyright 2016
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