Date: October 21, 2008 

Contact: Chief Petty Officer Robert K. Lanier
(216) 902-6022 office
(216) 357-8411 cell

U.S. Coast Guard MSRT to conduct boarding exercise on Lake Erie
USCG solicits for video and still media pool 

CLEVELAND - The U.S. Coast Guard Maritime Security Response Team will conduct a boarding exercise Friday, at 8 a.m., on Lake Erie with the 225-foot Coast Guard Cutter Hollyhock from Port Huron, Mich.

The Ninth Coast Guard District Public Affairs Office is soliciting for one pool photographer and one pool videographer, here, to capture imagery of the exercise.

This will be an exercise to test the MSRT's capabilities on the Great Lakes.  This is not a live-fire exercise, but will include the use of simulated munitions.

The MSRT is the Coast Guard's only counter-terrorism force with advance interdiction capabilities.  The MSRT concept was advanced from the Maritime Safety and Security Teams which were directed to be established by the Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002.

WHO:  U.S. Coast Guard Marine Security Response Team.

WHAT:  A boarding exercise to test the MSRT's capabilities on the Great Lakes.  MSRT will board the USCGC Hollyhock using simulated munitions.  This will not be a live-fire exercise.

WHEN:  Friday, October 24, 2008 at 8 a.m.

WHERE:  Pool aircraft will depart from Burke Lakefront Airport, here.  Exercise will occur on Lake Erie, five miles north of here.

WHY:  "The role of the exercise is to assure the Great Lakes community that we are always ready to provide security for the critical infrastructure of the Great Lakes and its ports, waterways and coastal areas," said Rear Adm. Peter V. Neffenger, Commander of the Ninth Coast Guard District.

MEDIA NOTE:  The Coast Guard Public Affairs Office is soliciting for one pool photographer and one pool videographer, here, to capture imagery of the exercise.  A Coast Guard HH-65 Dolphin helicopter will be provided as the media platform for the pooled photographer and videographer.  The pooled photographer/videographer "must agree" to share all imagery of the MSRT demonstration.

Local media should coordinate and establish the pools, then contact Chief Petty Officer Robert K. Lanier, at (216) 902-6022, by Wednesday, 4 p.m.

CLICK HERE for video of MSRT training.

For any questions or additional information concerning the media platform, contact Petty Officer Robert K. Lanier.

###
Saving Lives and Guarding the Coast Since 1790.
The United States Coast Guard: Proud History.  Powerful Future.