T
urning past the jetty wall, barely visible light
streams over the mountains, and a light fog fills
the air. Passing the concrete jetty, the coxswains
push their throttles, propelling the 32-foot
Transportable Port Security boats (TPSB) into the mist
toward their security zone. In the land of the morning calm,
these Coast Guard Port Security Unit (PSU) crews are here to
enforce an area around the USNS WHEELER as its crew lays a
two-mile long pipeline and hose to shore.
Five thousand miles from home, the 126 members of PSU
312, augmented by crews from the other seven Coast Guard
PSUs, deployed for Combined Logistics Over-the-Shore
(CJLOTS), an operation of Exercise Operation Pacific Reach
(OPRex17), in Pohang, Republic of Korea, April 1-15. More
than 1,200 ROK forces and 2,500 U.S. personnel participated
in OPRex17. Though they make up only a small portion of
these deployed units, they are a force to be reckoned with.
Their missions varied, from conducting security zones, to
providing additional facility security alongside Republic of
Korea military and police, to strengthening ROK and U.S.
alliance logistics capabilities within air, land, maritime, space
and information environments. In other words: it's what
PSUs do best.
"We are a rapidly deployable unit, organized for sustained
operations," said Lt. Chris Crowther, logistics officer for PSU
312. "We're ready for sea, rail or air transportation within
hours of mobilization and establish port security operations
within 24 hours upon arrival."
24 RESERVIST � Issue 3 • 2017