U.S. Coast Guardsmen from Maritime Safety and Security Team Honolulu practice entering and clearing spaces aboard the USS Ogden (LPD-5) anchored at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, Wednesday, Aug. 1, 2012. These versatile MSST units can be assigned in support of any of the Coast Guard's 11 statutory missions, but are commonly associated with port, waterway and coastal security as well as other homeland security roles. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Eric J. Chandler.
The Ogden, an Austin-class amphibious transport dock, is one of many ships located in the Pearl Harbor mothball fleet. Often referred to as the ghost fleet, these ships are ideal training grounds for law enforcement units with an essential need of tactical skills within the confined spaces of maritime vessels. In today's evolutions, Coast Guardsmen are placed in various scenarios to practice securing narrow passageways and compartments aboard the unfamiliar Ogden, in areas of variable lighting and high heat. The ability to rapidly work through complex combat scenarios and stressful situations is the skillset of the Coast Guard's MSST.