Reservist Magazine is the award-winning official publication of the United States Coast Guard Reserve. Quarterly 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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Once the main body arrived, twenty-four hour operations began. PSU 311 Communications Division stood up the TOC providing the central hub of communications from USCG assets to the Joint Operations Center (JOC), as well as providing critical information briefings to boat crews and shore security forces. PAC 6 utilized the exercise to test several new pieces of equipment for the PSU Community. They implemented live video feeds utilizing the Harris PRC-152 radio as an over- watch for situational awareness along with blue force tracking and tested Watch Keeper which is currently being utilized at Sector Command Centers. Shore Security members commenced twenty-four hour operations establishing two Entry ECPs as well as a roving patrol. They conducted vehicle searches and positive ID checks at the Port of Tacoma, ensuring only authorized personnel and vehicles entered the operational area. Throughout the exercise, the teams were randomly evaluated with help from a variety of Army, Air Force and Navy personnel attempting to smuggle or place simulated IEDs in vehicles or along the perimeter fence line. Evaluators used personnel with incorrect or no identification to attempt to gain entry into secure areas along with attempts to sneak past checkpoints. Additionally, Shore Security projected the Coast Guard's professionalism during interaction with a curious public who were taking photos of the operations from vehicles. As with the other divisions, Waterborne Security conducted round the clock operations maintaining a two-boat safety zone around a High Value Asset (HVA). They also provided moving HVA escorts for Army vessels transiting in the Puget Sound. Boat crews maintained a high degree of professionalism while interacting with kayakers attempting to enter the security zone to get a closer look at one of the Army Vessels. In addition to operations, the division put on a tactical boat college qualifying 2 Tactical Coxswains and 4 Tactical Crewmembers/Engineers. For many PSU 311 members, JLOTS was their first experience and taste of what being part of an expeditionary warfare unit can be like: from a rapid deployment of equipment and personnel to quickly adapting to a twenty-four hour operations schedule for an extended period of time. In addition, members experienced what it's like living in tents, utilizing a tent shower facility and eating MRE's for the first time. The unit performed exceptionally well, quickly adapting to a dynamic environment with operational changes. The exercise affirmed PSU 311's commitment to operational readiness and excellence while maintaining a Semper Paratus mindset. — Story by Lt. Jeff Yoder, PSU-311 Assistant Operations Officer Coast Guard WWII veteran Jim e vans, a Cutter n o RTHLA n D sailor in 1944, shares sea stories in the cutter's wardroom with current no RTHLA n D crew members. PSU 311 Communications o fficer Lt. Joseph Wright provides briefing to Lt. Cmdr. Scott Savela, o perations o fficer and a Shore Security Fire Team Leader. Cutter N ORT h LAND h osts Special Guest The crew of Cutter NORTHLAND hosted a very special guest on October 25, 2016, in Portsmouth, Va. The guest of honor was Coast Guard WWII veteran Jim Evans who served aboard the cutter in 1944. Master Chief Petty Officer William Princiotta, 5th District Reserve Command Master Chief, along with Dr. William Thiesen, Atlantic Area Historian, met with Mr. Evans and his family prior to the visit that morning and escorted them aboard the cutter. Evans, Princiotta and Thiesen met with the NORTHLAND's command and crew in the wardroom where Evans recalled sea stories from his time aboard NORTHLAND as well as other assignments in the Mid- Atlantic area spanning from 1942-1947. — Story and photos by PA2 Nate Littlejohn Issue 1 • 2017 � RESERVIST 11