Federal Agencies Team Up to Watch Over Caribbean
Story by Lt. Cmdr. Mark Phipps, Air Station Borinquen
BORINQUEN -- In response to the steady increase in illegal activity in the Caribbean this past year, the Coast Guard is combining forces with her sister federal agencies to enhance their operational response capabilities.
Capt. James Tunstall, Commander Sector San Juan, Capt. Tom Wade, commanding officer, Air Station Borinquen, Carlos Marrero, U.S. Customs and Border Patrol Ramey Sector, Ronaldo Ortiz, Director Air Marine Operations U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and Lydia St. John, Acting Special Agent in Charge Immigration and Customs Enforcement, have partnered to launch the Caribbean Border Interagency Group (CBIG).
These individuals have pioneered the first ever joint DHS force in the Caribbean and have formalized their efforts by developing CBIG Standard Operating Procedures that will help bring the heat to those who would attempt to violate U.S. Maritime Law. The establishment of standard operating procedures (SOP) by CBIG has been the first step to maximize the Caribbean DHS force and share intelligence that will increase maritime domain awareness as well as enhance response capabilities of the agencies involved.
CBIG was established to enhance interagency efforts and serve as a force-multiplier for the four agencies. The Commander of Coast Guard Sector San Juan, CAPT James Tunstall stated, "The Coast Guard is working with our DHS partners to enhance our collective abilities to detect, interdict, and prevent the entry of terrorists, weapons of mass destruction, illegal migrants, and narcotics that may come across our shared areas of responsibility."
The SOP will help develop standardized interagency training with representatives from Border Patrol Ramey Sector, Immigration and Customs Enforcement Mayaguez, Caribbean Air and Marine Branch, and USCG Sector San Juan. This will continue to define and direct joint interagency air and marine training to enhance interoperability and ensure continued focus on safe, efficient and effective operations.
CBIG focuses on both the enhancement of daily operations through shared intelligence and resource allocation, and the planning and conducting of joint surge operations.
The establishment of CBIG has been an innovative venture to streamline inter-agency operations in the Caribbean. These efforts will increase organizational efficiency and assist in bringing to justice those individuals and organizations that exist solely to undermine our nation's safety and security.
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