[CHDIRAUX-L] COMMANDANT'S ALL HANDS MESSAGE - DHS AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY -020/09

[chdiraux-l at cgls.uscg.mil]

To:   ALAUX
From: CHDIRAUX
Subj: ALL HANDS MESSAGE - DHS AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY -020/09

1. FYI:


-----Original Message-----
From: Allen, Thad Admiral 
Sent: Monday, June 08, 2009 7:03 PM
Subject: ALL HANDS - DHS Areas of Responsibility 

To the Men and Women of the United States Coast Guard,

On Monday, 08 June, Secretary Napolitano released a video
(http://www.dhs.gov/xother/gc_1243952009568.shtm) where she emphasized the
Department's five areas of responsibility for achieving its unified security
mission:  Guarding against terrorism; securing our borders; enforcing our
immigration laws in smart, tough and effective ways; improving our readiness
for, response to, and recovery from disasters; and unifying DHS.

As the largest operating agency within DHS, an Armed Service, a member of
the National Intelligence Community, and a regulatory and law enforcement
agency, the U.S. Coast Guard is uniquely situated to help the Department
achieve these goals.  There is a maritime aspect to each one so we will use
the full range of our competencies, capabilities, and authorities to support
the Department.  Our FY10 budget request continues our critical
recapitalization efforts, adds marine inspectors in accordance with our
Marine Safety Enhancement Plan, and supports our workforce.  These resources
will be critical as we address the maritime challenges of the 21st century.

Since the attacks of September 11, 2001, the Coast Guard has assumed a
significant legislative mandate to protect the Nation from terrorism.  The
Maritime Transportation Security Act (MTSA) of 2002 has helped us harden
critical infrastructure, mitigate the risks of maritime terrorism, and
enhance our national resiliency.  We have balanced these efforts with our
safety and regulatory roles.  The Marine Transportation System is the
lifeblood of our national economy so we must facilitate the safe, secure and
efficient movement of goods.  To do this, our operational commanders are
allocating their resources to the most vulnerable areas, buying-down safety
and security risks through partnerships, and reaching out to our external
stakeholders to solicit support and feedback.  

We have extensive responsibilities for border security.  The Coast Guard
provides for the safety, security, and stewardship of 3.4 million square
miles of exclusive economic zone, 95,000 miles of coastline, 361 ports, as
well as the Great Lakes and our vital inland waterways. We actively manage a
border with both Russia and Cuba.  The Coast Guard is the only federal
agency capable of projecting law enforcement authority on the high seas.  In
support of the Department's efforts on the Southwest border, we interdict
thousands of pounds of cocaine shipments before they reach Mexico.  On the
Northern border, we are partnering with Canada and other DHS components to
conduct joint law enforcement operations on waterways with shared borders.
Within the port environment, the Coast Guard is implementing Interagency
Operations Centers (IOCs) to improve situational awareness and leverage the
capabilities of our law enforcement, military, and intelligence partners.
Unregulated small vessels - such as self propelled semi-submersibles that
smuggle contraband, pirate vessels off the Horn of Africa, and those used in
the attacks in Mumbai, India - are potential threats to border security.  We
will continue to cooperate with our interagency partners, the international
community, and our external stakeholders to mitigate maritime threats to our
border security.  

In terms of smart, tough, and effective enforcement of immigration laws, the
safety of life at sea will always be paramount.  We continue to interdict
thousands of migrants from unseaworthy vessels and work with our DHS
partners to properly screen those seeking political asylum.  Our innovative
use of the Biometrics at Sea program has made a significant impact in
illegal migrant smuggling in the Mona Passage and we will look to expand
this capability throughout the Coast Guard.

Our actions before and after Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, and Gustav clearly
illustrate the Coast Guard's value in preparedness for and response to
disasters.  We helped shape the National Response Framework which guides
federal crisis management efforts and ensured all of our personnel were
trained in the Incident Command System.  With the start of hurricane season
on 01 June, we have pre-positioned vital supplies to threatened areas,
obtained pre-authorization to recall up to 1,500 Reservists, and are ready
to deploy trained personnel to support Joint Field Offices.  We also
strengthened our historical ties with the Department of Transportation to
create an adaptable and resilient port system that can readily shift
commerce away from disaster impacted regions.  Our goal is to prepare for
the worst, respond immediately, and recover in close coordination with local
authorities.

The Secretary has also emphasized the need to create a unified Department
that works and operates as "One DHS".  The Coast Guard has always been a
team-player.  We are a bridge between military and law enforcement
operations, we have a bias for action, and we readily partner with other
governmental entities to get the job done.  We will also contribute
administrative savings through the Department's Efficiency Review program.
Coast Guard personnel are working closely with the Department on 19 process
improvements that will save resources and create more flexibility within the
Department.  Recognizing that our best ideas come from the field, we have
started an internal program to solicit input on how we can save time, money,
and staff work.  Visit
http://cgportal.uscg.mil/lotus/myquickr/cg-efficiency-blog to contribute to
this ongoing effort.

The Coast Guard is a critical component of DHS and our enduring missions
feed naturally into the five major areas of responsibility that the
Secretary has identified.  As America's Maritime Guardian, we will find new
and innovative ways to enhance our operational and administrative
performance.  We'll continue to protect the Nation, defend the vulnerable,
and save those in peril.  Our Guardian Ethos will guide our actions as we
support the Nation, the Department and each other.

Thank you for your tremendous efforts and tireless work.  Semper Paratus.

Admiral Thad W. Allen
Commandant, U.S. Coast Guard

2. The purpose of this list is to keep Auxiliarists as well as all other
interested parties abreast of current developments, policies, manuals, etc.
All information contained herein and linked is OFFICIAL policy and
information.

3. Internet Release and Distribution is Authorized.

4. CG-54212, sends