The U.S. Coast Guard commissioned the Maritime Force Protection Unit (MFPU) July 24 at Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay. The unit, the first of its kind, was officially activated during a formal commissioning ceremony presided over by Vice Adm. D. Brian Peterman, commander of the Coast Guard's Atlantic Area. “This is a new and unique mission,” Peterman said during his commissioning remarks. He also praised the Navy for helping develop training, techniques and specialized equipment for the new mission from scratch. The Coast Guard unit will provide enhanced security for the Trident submarines (SSBN) within their homeport transit area. Tridents generally operate on the surface during transit and the MFPU will provide additional security measures while operating under these conditions.