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
