Guardians of the Gulf: The Coast Guardians of the Gulf: The Coast Guard in Operation Iraqi FreedomGuard in Operation Iraqi Freedom

•First Overseas Combat Deployment of USCG Patrol Boats Since Vietnam•Response to a Request for Forces from Central Command• Depth of water in Northern Arabian

Gulf Placed Limitations on Reach of Larger Naval Combatants

• No Navy Patrol Boat Capability

USCG Forces in the Northern USCG Forces in the Northern Arabian GulfArabian Gulf

• 4 110-Foot WPBs• USCGC BOUTWELL • USCGC WALNUT• 2 LEDETs• 3 Port Security Units

March 20March 20thth: Initial Combat : Initial Combat OperationsOperations

• Commenced Early Morning• Al Faw Peninsula• Gas and Oil Platforms

WPBs and PSUs Support WPBs and PSUs Support GOPLATS OperationsGOPLATS Operations

• ADAK (WPB 1333)• BARANOF (WPB 1318)

PSU 313 and Force Protection PSU 313 and Force Protection on Oil Terminalson Oil Terminals

March 21March 21stst: “Five-Inch Friday”: “Five-Inch Friday”

Iraqi Patrol Boat DestroyedIraqi Patrol Boat Destroyed

Capturing Iraqi Maritime POWsCapturing Iraqi Maritime POWs

• Crew of Destroyed Iraqi PB-90• Three Republican Guard Warrant Officers

Downed Royal Navy HelicoptersDowned Royal Navy Helicopters

Iraqi Mine Laying TugsIraqi Mine Laying Tugs

Khawr Abd Allah WaterwayKhawr Abd Allah Waterway

March 22nd: Minesweeping March 22nd: Minesweeping OperationsOperations

March 23March 23rdrd: PSU 311 in Umm : PSU 311 in Umm Qasr, IraqQasr, Iraq

March 28March 28thth: First Humanitarian : First Humanitarian Aid Vessel into IraqAid Vessel into Iraq

Early April: Weapons Cache Early April: Weapons Cache and Suicide Boatand Suicide Boat

April: April: WalnutWalnut ATON Work ATON Work

Maritime Interception OpsMaritime Interception Ops

Mission SuccessMission Success

• PSUs• WPBs• PATFORSWA• WALNUT• BOUTWELL

ConclusionConclusion