Through an exercise known as Poseidon’s Domain, the U.S. Coast Guard Reserve will take crews from three of its Port Security Units (PSU) and put them to the test along the northeast and eastern coasts of Puerto Rico this month.
From April 8 to April 25, crews from PSUs 305, 307, and 309 will train on Coast Guard Reserve PSU functions related to national defense and homeland security missions. Boat operations, air drone operations and Life Support Area establishment will all be part of the training events, conducted in collaboration with the U.S. Army Reserve 432nd Transportation Company, U.S. Customs and Border Protection-Air and Marine Operations Fajardo Maritime Unit, Maritime Surveillance Division FURA and Policía de Puerto Rico Distrito Vieques.
“We look forward to this valuable and extraordinary training opportunity in Puerto Rico,” Lt. Cmdr. Ydania Matos, Coast Guard Port Security Unit 307 logistics department chief, said. “We appreciate the support and hospitality of the people and communities within the exercise area that will contribute to our success in maintaining our readiness capabilities to defend and protect our great nation whenever and wherever we are needed.”
PSUs are part of the Deployable Specialized Services program, and through this, support sustained expeditionary security and anti-terrorism actions, in relation to harbor and port defense, protection of high value assets, sea lines of communication, coastal surveillance and more. In all, eight operate around the United States, generally under the direction of the Coast Guard Pacific Area Command.
Coast Guard PSU crews will also undertake community service and other outreach activities during their time in Puerto Rico.