Coast Guard Flag Officers Brief NapolitanoBy Amy McCullough - Staff writer
Posted : Friday Jan 23, 2009 16:28:27 EST
One day after being sworn in as the third Homeland Security secretary, Janet Napolitano was briefed by Washington, D.C.-based Coast Guard flag officers about the service’s global presence as well as its involvement in anti-piracy operations off the coast of Somalia, drug interdiction efforts, and the role the private sector plays in securing the nation’s border.
Napolitano resigned Tuesday from her post as governor of Arizona after federal confirmation of her new position. She was sworn in Wednesday and now oversees the newest and third-largest Cabinet-level department.
During his briefing to the secretary, Rear Adm. Brian Salerno, assistant commandant for marine safety, security and stewardship, said the Coast Guard has an ongoing role in anti-piracy efforts off the coast of Somalia, including a law-enforcement detachment that has been operating aboard the amphibious transport dock San Antonio, training sailors on law enforcement techniques. LEDET 405 has been working under the newly established Combined Task Force 151, set up specifically to fight pirates.
In addition, the cutter Boutwell recently embarked on a six-month, across-the-globe deployment with the Boxer Expeditionary Strike Group and is expected to be assigned to counter-piracy efforts as part of CTF 151 during that deployment, Salerno said.
“It’s not definite, but it is anticipated,” he said.
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