CNO Calls for Closer Navy, Coast Guard Teamwork

Navy NewsStand ^ | Jan 12, 2005 | CNO

[SandRat]

WASHINGTON (NNS) -- Next to the close relationship the Navy shares with the Marine Corps, Chief of Naval Operations (CNO), Adm. Mike Mullen said he considers the Navy's continuing partnership with the U.S. Coast Guard as the "single most critical relationship we can possibly have when it comes to securing the maritime domain," during his speech at the 18th Annual Suface Navy Association National Syposium Jan. 10.

"We talk a lot about the Navy-Marine Corps Team, and we should," Mullen told the audience. "But we are also going to start talking about the Navy-Coast Guard Team."

He said that the two services have worked well together recently, particularly on intercept and drug smuggling operations, and have improved maritime domain awareness with the establishment of the Maritime Intelligence Fusion Center in Norfolk, Va., and Alameda, Calif.

"But we must do more, the stakes are very, very high," CNO stressed. "We must bring together our multimission assets, personnel resources and shore command and control nodes to enhance security of our ports, coastal approaches, rivers and waterways - the entire maritime domain."

Mullen acknowledged that neither service desires to take over the other's missions. "Clearly there must be a line between us," he said. "But it better be a line we can look over, a soft line."

Referring to the new National Strategy for Maritime Security, CNO stressed that teamwork and cooperation are critical.

"As far as I'm concerned, that cooperation has to start with the Navy-Marine Corps Team and," he emphasized, "the Navy-Coast Guard team."

"Teamwork is a requirement."

[SandRat]

CNO Speaks at SNA Symposium: Sea Power Too Narrowly Defined, Navy to Expand Missions - 1/11/2006

[SandRat]

Tonk found another one that talks about the Coast Guard.

PING

[Semper Paratus]

In wartime the USCG along with the Reserves assume ASW duties in coastal waters. Not sure what the Navy could assume. Perhaps long range deep water surveilance to augment Port Security.

[SandRat]

That's all in the Flag negotiations.

[pepsi_junkie]

Perhaps in WW2 the USCG was as prepared as the USN to conduct ASW operations but in todays world, the USCG has basically no real undersea surveillance capability, especially when compared the the USN capability. This is part of the Admiral's point I think. USN would have to be part of the homeland security mission if we perceive certain threats for which the USCG is unprepared, but in a similar manner the USCG has a level of physical presence around the coast that the USN could never hope to reach. In a defense in depth approach, both services would need to cooperate pretty extensively to really cast a tight net around the coastal borders.

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

Thanks Brother!

[Xcoastie]

This is one smart CNO. Many folks don't realize how many Coast Guard LEDETs (Law Enforcement Detatchments) are stationed aboard Navy ships. This partnership has resulted in tremendous results for our national security, military and humanitarian response capabilities. It keeps our Navy on the cutting edge without violating Posse Comitatus and stretches our Coast Guard capabilities beyond the EEZ. Very very smart!! One high visibility example of the success of this partnership was the Persian Gulf boardings of oil tankers catching numerous smugglers of petroleum out of Iraq.

The Coast Guard / Navy partnership goes much deeper and a CNO who wants to further this relationship is one very smart Admiral. God Bless!

[Delta 21]

They would probably slow us down.

[hedgetrimmer]

Very interesting.

[E.G.C.]

BTTT

[JLO]

Thanks all who have served and those who continue to serve!

I am not a service member; just a partner to mine and a FRiend to others.

We had a friend go back to Iraq today - his 2nd tour there. He's 54+. Guess he has to teach.

God love our veterans!