Should the USCG bring back the RAID Team?

2015-04-28T02:53:15-04:00

After over 12 years, the RAID team mission in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Kuwait has finally come to an end. For those who don't know, the RAID Team works in a combat theater to assist the Army, and other service branches as needed, in moving containerized cargo and hazardous materials out of theater. The Coast Guard's expertise here is movement by vessel. They have saved the Army millions of dollars in fines, port costs, and delays but now, with the winding down of operations in Afghanistan, the program is over. Is there still a need for the RAID Team expertise? Should the RAID mission be expanded to assist the Army and other services to all around the world? Would love to hear back from other Coasties that worked with the RAID or other service members that worked with us.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 28 at 2015 1:09 PM

2015-04-28T13:09:44-04:00

I think the way things are going in the region it will eventually be back. The need for the SDDC to continue moving large amounts of equipment is still there, and I think the benefits were amply demonstrated. One of the main differences going forward may be that they'll be less expeditionary and perhaps more consolidated with the SDDC command groups. Still it would be great to see it re-implemented regardless! Thanks Chief!

Response by CPO Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 28 at 2015 1:54 PM

2015-04-28T13:54:45-04:00

PO1 Frank, great to hear from you. I agree, each team faced unique challenges. I'm sure if/when they bring it back it will be different from what we experienced.

Response by CMC Robert Young made May 4 at 2015 6:53 PM

2015-05-04T18:53:08-04:00

Given the proven track record, I think we're just one crisis from seeing the program return.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made May 6 at 2015 11:50 AM

2015-05-06T11:50:23-04:00

No, not until we have cleared Portsmouth and have PCS'ed on to our new units.
Raid Team 21

Response by LT Private RallyPoint Member made May 6 at 2015 5:47 PM

2015-05-06T17:47:07-04:00

The Army should fund it using their training funds. Pay the USCG for deployable instructor billets for Company/Battalion level Unit Movement Officers. Create training for Army personnel for both wartime/peacetime.

2-birds/1-stone: 1) ready assets for surge ops/ 2) joint operations & training opportunities

-Jason, RAID 7.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made May 7 at 2015 1:51 AM

2015-05-07T01:51:57-04:00

The RAID Teams will be reactivated at some point in the future. They are being decommed right now because there is no work for the Team to do. Everything is out of Afghanistan except the small amounts the units are brining in. There is nothing in Iraq except small unit material. The Army has closed their door in 2 of the old major ports. It would waste money right now to have a team in place. Wait to the next surge in troop movements and we will be asked to help out.

Response by CPO Jon Campbell made May 7 at 2015 2:19 PM

2015-05-07T14:19:50-04:00

After the End of Desert Storm, we saw ships coming back without any dunnage, blocking, or bracing, and many, many other unsafe and potentially catastophic issues. We saw unused missles and bombs with nails in the housings because people loading them had driven nails doen through pallets placed on top of bombs. We saw phosphorous grenades stowed below decks, ammo loose and rolling around, and other things that were just a cigarette butt away from igniting another Texas City disaster. Unfortunately, we don't learn from the past very well. We are short term thinkers and we replace experienced people with inexperienced people who try corner cutting until there is another disaster. The best thing to do is modify the RAID teams to make them smaller and easier to deploy and send them out on short missions of 60 to 90 days coordinated with vessel traffic coming back. Scaling up and scaling down is something we don't do well, however.

Response by LT Private RallyPoint Member made May 7 at 2015 3:04 PM

2015-05-07T15:04:43-04:00

RAID is an amazing mission for the Coast Guard. We provide highly trained personnel to assist the DOD in getting into and out of an area. Our RAID teams help protect the lives of the merchant marine that bring home our weaponry and personnel.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 4 at 2016 9:43 PM

2016-03-04T21:43:53-05:00

The mission from the wars is dwindling down. Many of the MOL (Military Out Load) units have been closed down because there isn’t a need for as many supplies to be sent overseas, for the war effort.

If they bring back the RAID team they need to bring back the MOL’s first. The Army has members that are certified shippers, but often they are overloaded, don’t care, or are under pressure from there supervisor to ship items out NOW regardless of its condition.

First the equipment needs to safely make it overseas (following US and International regulations) – same as any other cargo. This needs to happen BEFORE the RAID teams can help ship items back to the states.

Response by FN Bobby Smith made Mar 12 at 2016 1:17 AM

2016-03-12T01:17:51-05:00

Yes they should

Response by LT Carl Bogen made Apr 5 at 2016 11:29 AM

2016-04-05T11:29:55-04:00

Having read some of the responces to this question, I remember the training I went through regarding prepositionning of ships and the safety measures we took regarding the cargo. seems that the Coast Guard is such a natural fit for this type of duty when it comes to port safety that not to do it could proove to be very dangerious. As usual, the Coast Guard gives the most bang for the buck, seems like we need a bit more funding to make sure the job gets done right.

Response by CAPT John Pitta made Apr 6 at 2016 7:52 AM

2016-04-06T07:52:28-04:00

I really believe the expertise that the USCG has in this mission should be continued. What could be the reason to stop it? Let the experts do what they do best. I had two sons who served in Iraq and Afghanistan so I know how important support of the mission is to all services. I think we should extend the RAID program and look around the world where this support would save money, increase efficiency and in short get the job done.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 6 at 2016 9:42 AM

2016-04-06T09:42:00-04:00

If they expand the Coast Guard's budget to allow for, sure. The issue is Congress always wants to take from the USCG and stretch them thinner than they already are. There's only so much you can take from a group smaller than the NYPD and expect them to perform as well as any other branch. I did 21 years (9 Navy, 11 1/2 CG) so I saw first-hand the DHS prioritized their Depts. and the CG was never near the top.

But I like the idea of bring back the RAID team.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 26 at 2016 6:26 AM

2016-07-26T06:26:09-04:00

It depends if there is OCO funding? The CG can't afford to fund this on its current 11 statutory missions.

Response by PO3 Sonny Simms made Jul 26 at 2016 10:46 AM

2016-07-26T10:46:38-04:00

Why would Uncle Sam want to cut something that is saving $$$ instead of giving it to countries that are screaming, "death to America." What is that about?