CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas: An experiment conducted by Navy, Coast Guard and local and state authorities in Corpus Christi, Texas, this past week is allowing the agencies to test their tactics, equipment, procedures and response to an underwater explosive threat in a U.S. port or harbor.
Participants intend to use their experiences in developing a preliminary concept of operations for other type events.
Although Corpus Christi is a strategic national port – one of 19 in the nation — participating commands emphasized the techniques and tactics they employed can be applied to any port or harbor around the country.
“This is an exceptional opportunity to work with our interagency partners to develop plans and methods to counter potential maritime threats to our ports and harbors,” said Capt. Brian Brown, director of Oceanographic Operations for Undersea Warfare at the Naval Oceanography Operations Command. “Lessons learned from these events strengthen our collective capabilities to respond in an effective, coordinated fashion.”
Students from the Naval Postgraduate School observed the experiment to assist members of the mine warfare community in developing a concept of operations to be used in the preparation of and response to an underwater improvised explosive device.
“The Corpus Christi Maritime Homeland Security Experiment is a very important event,” said Rear Adm. Rick Williams (Ret.), deputy director, Undersea Warfare Research Center. “If we ever have a UWIED attack in U.S. ports, all of the various agencies in affected ports need to be prepared to act in a coordinated, effective and timely manner to prevent potentially significant economic damage or disaster.”
A fleet-approved concept of operations will drive maritime homeland security doctrine, requirements and funding. The experiment allows members of the mine warfare community to collaborate to create a more effective document.
The experiment also provides participants with a real-life opportunity to hone the skills and tactics required in the event of an actual maritime homeland security incident. Experiment organizers intentionally did not release a lot of details to the participants prior to the event in an effort to keep the experiment as authentic as possible. They limited planned meetings or operational pauses. After receiving the background intelligence story, participants were responsible for setting their own battle rhythms, just as they would in an actual emergency.
One of the most important aspects of the experiment is practicing interagency communication and cooperation.
“It is imperative that we document these processes and determine how this interplay would actually happen,” said U.S. Coast Guard Capt. Bob Paulison, sector commander Corpus Christi and captain of the port. “We will use the lessons we learn here to put ‘meat on doctrinal bones.'”
The experiment is also providing the Captain of the Port with a baseline environmental survey of the waters to be included in a standalone document called a Port Folder. The folder is intended for use by port captains and other emergency responders in the event of a maritime contingency and contains points of contact, policy guidance, environmental data and other information necessary for a rapid, effective response to a waterway threat.
“None of us ever want to have to deal with terrorist underwater IEDs in U.S. ports, harbors, and confined waterways,” Williams added. “And those of us who understand how truly difficult this mission may be want to be sure that we are not caught unprepared to defeat this threat as rapidly and effectively as possible.”
