Reservist

ISS2 2013

Reservist Magazine is the award-winning official publication of the United States Coast Guard Reserve. Bi-monthly issues include news and feature articles about the men and women who comprise America's premier national maritime safety and security

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In addition to language barriers, unpredictable weather conditions also proved challenging for PSU 313. Temperatures would fluctuate rapidly between 30 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. The seas would be calm one minute with more than 8-foot swells the next, and winds gusted up to 50 miles-per-hour. "Safety was always priority one," said Coast Guard Cmdr. Daniel Clark, commanding officer for PSU 313. "In accordance with policy, the boat crews operated the Transportable Port Security Boats (TPSB) 24/7 in a broad spectrum of weather conditions and identified some mechanical areas we need to improve. This was a good opportunity and a good environment to do that." During roving patrols on foot along Dogu Beach, security teams would walk nearly three miles along the shore day and night, taking intermittent refuge in tents to keep warm. Shore-side security teams rotated watches through five different checkpoints, working closely with the Korean military and building relations with the Korean Navy and Marines. "The Coast Guard provides security for ports across the United States," said Coast Guard Rear Adm. Charles Ray, Pacific Area deputy commander. "We've been doing this for over 200 years, and we've got a role to play here. The only way you develop the capability is to go do it. When our nation needs us, these guys will be ready." — Story and photos by PA2 Etta Smith How They Got There: Logistics, Logistics, Logistics The journey would take more than five weeks and required moving six 32-foot TPSBs, two pick-up trucks, six boat trailers, and 15 five-ton storage containers more than 5,000 miles across the Pacific Ocean. For Coast Guard Lt. j.g Logan Huffman, PSU 313's assistant logistics officer, this deployment would prove not only to be a unique experience, but a challenging one as well. "CJLOTS gave me a valuable education about the Army, Navy, and Marines, in terms of what they could provide and how they conduct business," Huffman said. "That's what's invaluable about working within a combined command; if you can't get something done, you can go to your counterparts for help and support." According to Huffman, transporting cargo by ship works on a 'first come, first serve basis,' so he arranged for PSU 313's equipment to be delivered nearly four days prior to the ship date, in anticipation of possible delays. "I was previously trained in airlift planning, which PSU's typically use (to ship equipment for deployments), but in this fiscal environment sealift was preferred," said Huffman. "Timing and planning was key and I had to ensure all of our gear was delivered to the pier for shipment, far in advance our actual deployment date." Huffman and an advance crew of 16 personnel from PSU 313 arrived early to South Korea to receive the shipments and secure the crew's equipment, hoping that when PSU 313 arrived, they could transition into camp and operations seamlessly. During those first few days, Huffman and his advance team worked through numerous unforeseen obstacles like learning the type of fuel that had been designated for Coast Guard use was incompatible with PSU 313's boats, so he and his advance team worked with interpreters to secure appropriate fuel through a local vendor. "As problems arose we constantly had to troubleshoot," said Huffman. "We had to be innovative and adaptive, and we had to build relationships with other military branches. This was the true value of the exercise." As vital as the relationship with fellow military agencies was to the success of PSU 313, Huffman was most grateful for the 16-person advance team that helped him work through the unpredictable challenges that arose in those first few days. "I was really lucky to have such a great team helping me through the daily challenges we encountered upon arrival," said Huffman. "Everyone knew what they were doing. When I was approached with a problem I would share it with them, and they would come up with solutions within an hour. I couldn't have done it without them." — Story by PA2 Etta Smith Issue 2 • 2013 � RESERVIST 11

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