The Coast Guard Atlantic Area, Navy Second Fleet and the FBI are participating in Exercise Frontier Sentinel June 12-14 approximately 90 nautical miles east of Oregon Inlet, N.C. In particular, the exercise will gauge the effectiveness of inter-service cooperation at the tactical and operational levels. These functions are crucial to the successful implementation of "layered security," a strategy called for in the United States'
National Strategy for Maritime Security. In order to test the effectiveness of doctrine and to increase the familiarity with one another and their respective roles, these partners must practice together in as-close-to-realistic scenarios as possible.
Through a simulated
Maritime Homeland Security event, the participants will exercise, evaluate and make recommendations for enhancing their inter-operational capabilities in response to threats to American maritime security. "The Coast Guard and Navy have a very close working relationship," said VADM D. Brian Peterman, Coast Guard Atlantic Area Commander. Three ships, the USCGC Seneca, the USS Mahan and the USNS Sisler will transit from Norfolk on a simulated track to Oregon Inlet, N.C. One of the ships, the USNS Sisler, will be identified as a Vessel of Interest with suspect cargo.
Through a series of intelligence reports the Coast Guard will decide to intercept and investigate the Vessel of Interest. The exercise will employ a combination of tactically trained units using Navy and Coast Guard boarding teams; a Law Enforcement Detachment Team, a Maritime Safety and Security Team and the Maritime Security Response Team. The FBI will participate as an observer and advisor to validate the handover process with law enforcement in a Weapons of Mass Destruction event.