Several Navy commands, the U.S. Coast Guard and civil authorities participated in a unique maritime homeland security experiment in the port of Corpus Christi that will assist in developing guidance in the event of a underwater improvised explosive device (UWIED) threat in a domestic waterway.
The four-day experiment played a critical role in further developing guidance for the military and port authorities to use in the event of a UWIED threat in a domestic waterway. The event not only enabled multiagency interaction but also began discussion of how the multijurisdictional organizations would work together in a real-world scenario.
"This experiment marked the first full end-to-end test of our concept of operations for maritime homeland security in response to a maritime explosive threat," said Capt. Brian Brown, director of undersea warfare for the Naval Oceanography Operations Command.
"Through our efforts we were able to begin constructing a planning document, a Port Folder, to streamline the interagency response to a threat, quickly integrate naval assets into the response team and, most importantly, test that plan."
The Port Folder is a stand-alone guide intended to be used by mine countermeasures commanders, the captain of the port (COTP) and other emergency first responders in the event of waterborne incidents. Among the Port Folder's contents are local maps and harbor charts; historical environmental data; federal, regional, state and local points of contact; and clearly articulated immediate response activities, interagency protocols and policies.
Although techniques and tactics that are developed for a Port Folder can be applied to any port or harbor around the country, the uniqueness of each port requires port-specific analysis and planning.
"If we ever have a UWIED attack in U.S. ports, all of the various agencies in affected ports need to be prepared to act in a coordinated, effective and timely manner to prevent potentially significant economic damage or disaster," stated Rear Adm. Rick Williams (Ret.), deputy director, Undersea Warfare Research Center.
Shannon Breland (NNS)
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