e-pme study guide grades e-5/e-6 - Boatswainsmate.net

ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE: Coast Guard Headquarters is the administrative and operational command and
control center for the Coast Guard. The senior officer is the Commandant. The Commandant:
- Plans, supervises, and coordinates the overall activities of the
Coast Guard
- Directs the policy and administration of the Coast Guard under the
general supervision of the Secretary of the Department of Homeland
Security
- Provides immediate direction to Headquarters units Activities Europe is responsible to the Commandant for the administration
and command of European Units The Coast Guard is organized into two specific regions:
- Atlantic
- Pacific These regions contain:
- District offices
- 1 MLC
- Cutters Three star Admirals lead the Atlantic and Pacific areas. Areas have direct oversight of: - High Endurance Cutters
- Medium Endurance Cutters
- Marine Safety and Security Teams One or Two star Admirals lead MLCs, which provide support to all
operational units and personnel within their respective areas. Districts are commanded by Rear Admirals and are responsible for the
administration and general direction of units under their authority and
assuring that the functions and duties of the Coast Guard are performed
efficiently, safely, and economically within their districts. Cutters over 180' in length fall under the command of Areas. Cutters under
180' in length fall under the command of Districts. 35 Coast Guard units report directly to Headquarters ROLE IN ARMED CONFLICTS: Traditionally the Coast Guard's role in wartime has been to:
- Augment the Navy with cutters and manpower
- Embark on special missions utilizing the Coast Guard's unique
skills QUASI-WAR:
During the war with France in 1798 Revenue Cutters captured 18 prizes
unaided and assisted in the capture of two others. The Cutter PICKERING captured 10 prizes one of which carried 44 guns
and 200 men.
The Cutter EAGLE recaptured the American vessels NANCY and MEHITABLE WAR OF 1812:
The Coast Guard augmented the Navy with shallow-draft craft. The Cutter JEFFERSON captured the first prize of the war.
The Cutter SURVEYOR battled the British NARCISSIS in which their
gallantry was praised by the British victors.
The Captain of the SURVEYOR was Captain Samuel Travis The Cutter EAGLE defended itself against the DISPATCH even after it
had been run ashore on Long Island from 9a.m. until late afternoon.
When the crew ran out of cannon ammo they used pages from the
logbook. Their flag was shot away 3 times. MEXICAN - AMERICAN WAR:
The Navy required the use of the Revenue Cutter's steam-propelled
cutters The cutters performed the following missions:
- Performing scouting, convoy, and towing duties
- Blockading harbors
- Transporting troops and supplies
- Executing forays up the Alvarado and Tabasco rivers
- Conducting river expeditions
- Carrying mail and dispatches
- Quelling a mutiny of troops on the MIDDLESEX CIVIL WAR:
The Cutter HARRIET LANE fired the first shots of the Civil War. CG Cutters performed blockade duty along the Atlantic Coast,
Chesapeake Bay, and Potomac River.
Cutters not assigned to the Navy:
- Patrolled the shipping lanes to safeguard trade against Southern
privateers
- Assisted distressed vessels at sea
- Continued the normal duty of protecting the nation's customs
revenue as this income was critical to the Union war effort SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR:
8 Cutters carrying 43 guns joined Rear Admiral William Sampson's
North Atlantic Squadron on blockade duty off of Cuba's coast
The cutter MCCULLOCH was engaged in the battle at Manila Bay, and
subsequently became the escort and dispatch boat with Commodore
George Dewey's Asiatic Squadron
11 cutters served under the Army's tactical control, guarding our
important east and west coast ports
On May 11. 1898 in Cardenas Bay, Cuba, the cutter HUDSON and torpedo
boat WINSLOW were engaged in battle with Spanish gunboats and shore
batteries. The HUDSON rescued the crew of the WINSLOW WORLD WAR I:
The first time the entire Coast Guard was transferred to the
Department of the Navy.
A major duty of the Coast Guard was to provide port security in the
U.S.
A higher percentage of coastguardsmen killed than any other service. WORLD WAR II
The Dangerous Cargo Act was passed giving Coast Guard jurisdiction
over ships carrying explosives and dangerous cargos.
The Coast Guard was given responsibility of cold weather operations
in Greenland.
The cutter NORTHLAND took the Norwegian trawler BOSKOE making it the
first capture of the war.
Coast Guard manned ships sank 11 enemy submarines.
Coast Guard cutters performing convoy duties are credited with
sinking 12 German U-boats.
Douglas Munro was the Coast Guard's only Medal of Honor recipient
earning it for action during the Battle of Guadalcanal
Coast Guard craft rescued more than 1500 survivors of torpedo attacks
off the U.S. coast. Cutters on convoy duty rescued another 1000.
Armed Coast Guardsmen patrolled the beaches and docks
Less publicized actions were:
- Providing port security
- Supervising the movement of dangerous cargoes
- Controlling merchant vessel traffic
- Maintaining aids to navigation
- Breaking ice to allow ship passage KOREAN WAR:
The Coast Guard's role was marginal, primarily a role of support. VIETNAM:
The Coast Guard was utilized during operation "Market Time" by using
shallow-draft warships
DESERT STORM/DESERT SHIELD:
Coast Guard LEDETs enforced UN sanctions against Iraq Reserve PSUs provided coastal patrols, anti-terrorist operations, and
overall port security WAR ON TERRORISM:
Units from Activities New York were on of the first to respond . Other operations include:
- Operation Liberty Shield
- Operation Enduring Freedom
- Operation Iraqi Freedom During Operation Noble Eagle the U.S. Navy and Coast Guard deployed
jointly under Coast Guard command ESTABLISHED MISSIONS: SEARCH AND RESCUE:
Roots back to the 19th century when America experienced an in
flux of immigration. Many of the immigrant ships would be lost
to winter storms. The Lifesaving service was created to assist.
The equipment of a lifeboat station was:
o A fully equipped iron boat on a wagon
o A mortar apparatus for propelling a rescue line, powder and
shot
o A small covered "life car" The leader of the station was known as the wreckmaster.
In 1871 Sumner Kimball recreated the lifesaving service with new
stations and new equipment.
The largest number of immigrants rescued from a single vessel
was by the CGC DAUNTLESS rescuing 578 migrants from a 75 foot
coastal freighter. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION:
Started in 1822, when Congress created a timber reserve for the
Navy Due to the value of their furs Alaskan seals had to be protected
from poachers giving the cutters authority to enforce Alaskan
game laws. FISH CONSERVATION:
The Fishery Conservation and Management Act of 1976 created a
200 mile offshore fishing zone to be controlled by the U.S. and
enforced by the Coast Guard.
The Coast Guard enforces the UN moratorium on High Seas Drift
Net Fishing. WATERWAYS POLLUTION:
The Refuse Act of 1899 addressed the problem of water
pollution. The framework of the Coast Guard's Marine Environmental
Protection program is the Federal Water Pollution Control Act of
1972.
The Coast Guard Strike Force consists of three teams:
o Pacific
o Gulf
o Atlantic LAW ENFORCEMENT:
Law enforcement is one of the Coast Guard's oldest missions.
Alexander Hamilton authorized ten cutters to enforce tariff laws
in1790.
Smuggling was considered patriotic duty until after the War of
independence.
Cutters ALABAMA and LOUISIANA captured the BRAVO and Jean
LaFarge, lieutenant of Jean Lafite of New Orleans.
Intercepting contraband was the Coast Guard's prime
responsibility prior to World War II. On August 31, 1890 a cutter made the first narcotics seizure.
The USRC WALCOTT discovered an undeclared amount of opium on a
ship in the Straits of Juan de Fuca.
During prohibition the Coast Guard started the "Rum war at sea". ICE OPERATIONS:
The ice operations of the U.S. Coast Guard began after the RMS
TITANIC struck an iceberg and 1500 lives were lost.
Cutters Seneca and Miami were assigned to conduct the patrol in
1913.
The sinking of the TITANIC caused the creation of the
International Ice Patrol on February 7, 1914. AIDS TO NAVIGATION:
On August 7, 1789 all existing lighthouses and aids were
federalized. There were no tenders only lone keepers to maintain the light. The lighthouse Service fell under the Treasury Department. In 1838 Congress passed the federal steamboat inspection law
enfoced by the Coast Guard.
Notable lighthouse keepers:
- Abbie Burgess - served 38 years at Matinicus Rock and White Head
Light St