Coast Guard in GWOT

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An early Coast Guard DCU featuring Arabic name tapes, produced in theater and authorized for a brief period circa 2003–2004. (Collection of Jonathan Wingfield.)

During Operation Iraqi Freedom, the United States Coast Guard supported military operations by focusing on maritime security and port operations. One of its main tasks was helping secure and reopen Umm Qasr Port, which was essential for delivering humanitarian aid and supplies. Coast Guard personnel also worked with the United States Navy to board and inspect vessels, enforce maritime restrictions, and prevent smuggling. In addition, they helped protect offshore oil facilities such as the Al Basrah Oil Terminal, supporting Iraq’s economic recovery. They also assisted in training Iraqi maritime forces.

During Operation Enduring Freedom, the Coast Guard supported operations in a different way. Redeployment Assistance and Inspection Detachments, known as RAID teams, deployed to Afghanistan to inspect military equipment and cargo leaving the region. Their work ensured that materials were properly documented, safe to transport, and met environmental and customs requirements.

Coast Guard personnel also served at Guantanamo Bay Naval Base as part of Joint Task Force Guantanamo. They supported detention operations in roles such as security and administration.


Coast Guard DCU with standard-issue Enhanced Load Bearing Vest, bearing a PSU 309 patch, circa 2004–2005. (Collection of Jonathan Wingfield.)
ASH SHUAIBA, Kuwait (March 26, 2004)- Port Security Specialist 2nd Class Mike Burch, 37, from St. Petersburg, Fla., of Coast Guard Port Security Unit (PSU) 307 from St. Petersburg, Fla., keeps a look out for possible threats with his M60 automatic weapon. PSU 307 is currently deployed to the region to help protect the Port of Ash Shuaiba and the coalition ships involved in the largest redeployment of troops and equipment since World War II. The troops and equipment are heading into and out of Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Coast Guard Port Security Units are comprised mostly of reservists and are often deployed overseas to protect strategic ports used by the U.S. Navy and coalition forces. The units include heavily armed high-speed boats and a shoreside security force trained in combat skills and tactics. USCG Photo by PA1 Matthew Belson (caption and image from dvidshub.net)

Citation list:

United States Coast Guard. The United States Coast Guard in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Washington, DC, 2004.

The Coast Guard at War: Operation Enduring Freedom. Washington, DC, 2011.

United States Navy. Maritime Interception Operations in the Persian Gulf. Washington, DC, 2003.

Joint Task Force Guantanamo. Public Affairs Overview. Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, n.d.

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About Jeremy Albright

Avid military historian and collector, focusing on Global War on Terror. Also a volunteer at American Armory Museum (as Desert Storm-GWOT exhibit specialist and Graphic Designer)

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