Services unite to patrol Guam's shoreline

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Angelique N. Smythe
  • 36th Wing Public Affairs
ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam (AFPN) --  The first joint operation involving the Air Force, Navy and Coast Guard security forces set out to patrol the shores of Guam July 26.

"This is a joint operation with Coast Guard, Air Force and naval assets all working together as a coordinated team to enhance force protection and overall protection of the island of Guam," said Chief Warrant Officer William Norton of Naval Security Forces.

The joint patrol got underway in a 36-foot Navy patrol Sea Ark and navigated 32 miles to the northern tip of the island and back.

The patrol was equipped and armed to neutralize any threat against military personnel and resources.

"Our force protection capabilities increase through joint operations by effectively using and sharing our manpower, resources and specialized training," said Senior Master Sgt. Ray Johnson of the 36th Security Forces Squadron.

Coast Guard, Navy and Air Force troops will continue to conduct periodic joint force protection patrols off the coastline.

"When you integrate three services, you're getting three different skill sets and experiences and everyone has unique capabilities to bring together," Sergeant Johnson said.

"The Coast Guard is very knowledgeable of the waters, and they have jurisdiction or can board vessels that we have no jurisdiction over," he said.

This means if there is a ship that looks suspicious, they can stop it, and by the Coast Guard's authority, board it and search the vessel, Sergeant Johnson said.

The Navy has the patrol boat, heavy weapons and force protection experience, and the Air Force has weapons, knowledge of their area of operations and force protection experience.

"By combining all this together on a joint patrol and learning each other's tactics, techniques and procedures, we are increasing our force protection capabilities to protect our joint resources and our personnel -- one team, no seams," Sergeant Johnson said.