If so is it rare for them to go? Are there any stationed reserves for the coast guard overseas now? What does the coast guard do exactly? Do they just control U.S. waterways? Keep in mind that all these questions pertain to the reserves please.
2006-12-23 08:30:07 · 4 answers · asked by thunderbbolt 2 in Politics & Government ➔ Military
Yes, I was in Iraq with some Coast Guard (and CG Reserves) they were training the Iraqi Coast Guard how to patrol the Tigris and Euphrates rivers and the delta heading into the Persian Gulf. They are great team-mates in the war on terror! Great Question!
2006-12-23 08:34:28 · answer #1 · answered by Drop Zone 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
During war and other emergencies, the shallow water sailors, buoy painters, etc., can come under the control of the US Navy and be used in any capacity. CG Reserves can be called up for active duty as with any other service.
At first, and for a long time, they were under the control of the Treasury Department. Carter put them under the control of the Dept of Transportation and Bush screwed their lives up something awful.
I don't think I would like to take a CG Cutter across the N. Atlantic at all. And I would bet that riding out a typhoon or hurricane in one of them would be a sailor's nightmare.
2006-12-23 20:27:22 · answer #2 · answered by Polyhistor 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes they can and they are. The Coast Guard falls under the command of the US Navy in times of war. It was part of the Department of Transportation but is now under the Department of Homeland Security.
2006-12-23 17:12:21 · answer #3 · answered by thepaintman80 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, They were very active in Vietnam, many as river patrol boat crewman. They weren't the sole PBR contingent,but pretty good numbers.
2006-12-23 17:14:03 · answer #4 · answered by Robert D 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋