Full Notification

Coastal Trident Maritime Training Security Exercise focuses on Narcotics Trafficking & Illegal Alien Smuggling


Joint News Release

LAW ENFORCEMENT AND EMERGENCY RESPONDERS CONDUCT REGIONAL MARITIME SECURITY EXERCISE

PORT HUENEME, CA – The Oxnard Harbor District, along with representatives from over thirty local, state, federal, and private sector emergency response and management organizations will participate in the Coastal Trident 2012 exercise Tuesday through Thursday, in an effort to address the increasing threats of narcotics trafficking and illegal alien smuggling to regional maritime security.

This year’s Coastal Trident exercise is the latest in an annual, multiple phased training and exercise program established by the Port of Hueneme in partnership with the Naval Postgraduate School’s Center for Asymmetric Warfare, headquartered at Point Mugu, improving the capabilities of regional emergency response organizations to respond to potential emergencies at the Port of Hueneme, protecting the economic viability of the Port and ensuring the safety and security of the surrounding communities.

While the exercise scenario is not based on any known threats to the Port or the region, it has been designed to address the increasing frequency of seaborne criminal activity including the smuggling of both narcotics and illegal aliens along the southern California coastline.

Coastal Trident 2012 will provide valuable opportunities for participants to validate tactics, techniques, and procedures to counter these threats in the port and maritime environments, as well as evaluate the role of developing military and law enforcement technologies to support intelligence-driven operations and apprehension of identified criminals and terrorists.

The exercise will be conducted from Tuesday, June 12, through Thursday, June 14, and consist of a scenario that includes vehicle checkpoint operations, littoral interception and interdiction, maritime search and rescue, hazardous materials response, humanitarian assistance, and the activation of the Oxnard Harbor District’s Emergency Operations Center.

Participants in the exercise will represent over thirty regional response agencies, including the U.S. Coast Guard, Customs and Border Protection, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Naval Base Ventura County, Port Hueneme and Oxnard Police Departments, Ventura and Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Departments, and a number of other public safety and private sector stakeholders committed to the safety and security of the Port of Hueneme and the local maritime domain.

FEMA director Alexander Mrazik Jr. said,” The Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s grant program directorate are proud of the partnership with the Port of Hueneme Area and the important security projects undertaken with Port Security Grant Program (PSGP) funds, which includes over $3.2 million for construction of the security gate complex, a port-wide fiber optic network, and the Joint Operations and Security Center (JOSC).

The Coastal Trident training and exercise program is tangible evidence of the commitment by the Port of Hueneme and the emergency response community in Southern California to ensure public safety and security in the region through collaborative partnerships and cutting edge technology that enhances the region’s emergency response program. Port Director Kristin Decas said, “The Port of Hueneme is particularly proud of our collaboration with the Naval Post Graduate School’s Center for Asymmetric Warfare. In the last five years our partnership has grown from a local Port Security Grant Program (PSGP) drill to a full-fledged regional partnership encompassing up to 30 local, state and federal agencies connecting Los Angeles, Santa Barbara and Ventura County emergency and security responders.”

"The Navy recognizes the importance of building strong partnerships with the civilian community," said Capt. Larry Vasquez, commanding officer of Naval Base Ventura County, which includes Port Hueneme. The Oxnard Harbor District and NBVC have a shared-use agreement in place for wharf space at the harbor. "We are neighbors, and working together we can improve our community, its economic viability and its security," Vasquez added.

EXERCISE PARTICIPANTS

Federal

Federal Bureau of Investigation

Joint Regional Intelligence Center

National Weather Service

Naval Base Ventura County

Naval Postgraduate School

Navy Technology Transfer Program

Transportation Security Agency

U.S. Coast Guard

U.S. Customs and Border Protection

U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement


State

California Emergency Management Agency

California Highway Patrol


Local

Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department

Oxnard Dive Rescue Team

Oxnard Fire Department

Oxnard Harbor District

Oxnard Police Department

Port Hueneme Police Department

Ventura Count Department of Public Health

Ventura County Fire Department

Ventura County Sheriff’s Office

Ventura County Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Services

Ventura County Regional HAZMAT Team


Private Sector

American Red Cross

Brusco Tugs

Ceres Global Marine Terminals

Del Monte Fresh Products

Kestrel Technology Group, Inc

Marine Terminals Corp

NYK Cool

Ports America

Securitas

SSA Marine

TracTide Marine Corp

Wallenius-Wilhelmsen Logistics

Yara North America


Will Berg, Public Relations Officer
Naval Postgraduate School’s Center for Asymmetric Warfare
805-377-1500
[email protected]

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On Board with KNBC-TV 4 NEWS VIDEO
Exercise Envisions Chemical Weapon Spill Off Malibu Coast - Coastal Trident drill prepares to respond to coastal terrorism

http://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/Preparing-to-Deal-with-Terrorism-at-Sea--158977765.html

On Board with FOX -TV 11 NEWS VIDEO

'Operation Coastal Trident' Maritime Drill Targets Smuggling

http://www.myfoxla.com/story/18778887/operation-coastal-trident-maritime-drill-targets-smuggling#ixzz1xk2BSNi0




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Forwarded by:
Captain Mike Parker
Sheriff’s Headquarters Bureau – Newsroom
Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department
(323) 267-4800
http://www.lasd.org
[email protected]
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Leroy D. Baca, Sheriff
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department


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