Maritime Security Response Team - National Strike Force

2 Members of a United States Coast Guard (USCG) Maritime Security Response Team (MSRT) pictured while carrying out a chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosive (CBRNE) training with the Atlantic Strike Team, Feb 2013.

The Atlantic Strike Team (AST) is one of 3 special teams that make up the U.S. Coast Guard National Strike Force (NSF).

NSF personnel are trained and equipped to deal with, among other things, the release of a weapon of mass destruction (WMD).

Coast Guard MSRTs are tactical-teams on standby to intervene to resolve crisis scenarios within the USCG's area of responsibility.

MSRTs may called on, for example, to rescue hostages from a hijacked ferry or neutralize a terrorist threat at a port facility.

MSRTs have a robust CBRNE capability that includes training in full CBRNE protective gear.

MSRTs and teams with the National Strike Force are USCG deployable specialized forces under the command of the Deployable Operations Group.

The units frequently train together and with other agencies.

In the scenario pictured above, played out a training center, terrorists armed with conventional weapons and WMDs had seized a port facility.

While the MSRT retook the port facilities, the Atlantic Strike Team prepared decontamination and recovery stations.

Once the MSRT has secured the objective, the AST can sweep for, identify, monitor, contain and mitigate any hazardous material that is present.