Definition of the IC
Leadership of the IC
Management of the IC
Members of the IC
Relationships with Other Government Organizations |
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The United
States Coast Guard is a military, multi-mission, maritime
service within the Homeland Security Department and one of
the nation's five armed services. Its core roles are to protect
the public, the environment, and U.S. economic and security
interests in any maritime region in which those interests
may be at risk, including international waters and America's
coasts, ports, and inland waterways. The Coast Guard provides
unique benefits to the nation because of its distinctive blend
of military, humanitarian, and civilian law-enforcement capabilities.
To assist in accomplishing the many diverse missions of the
Coast Guard, senior leadership, and operational commanders
rely on Coast Guard Intelligence.
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Coast Guard's
Contribution to Intelligence
The modern Coast
Guard Intelligence program has cultivated extensive relationships
and partnerships with other elements of the Intelligence Community
to provide timely, tailored support in a wide range of Coast Guard
and national missions. These missions include port security, search
and rescue, maritime safety, counter-narcotics, alien migration
interdiction, and living marine resources protection.
Coast Guard Intelligence
traces its roots to the Prohibition era (1920-1940's). The
Coast Guard had only 75 vessels to protect over 12,000 miles of
coastline and recognized the need to maximize its assets. LCDR Charles
S. Root and four cryptanalysts, including the renowned Elisabeth
Friedman, analyzed encrypted radio communication intercepts from
rumrunners. The success of this group helped disrupt notorious rum-running
organizations and convict many key members.
Since the era
of Prohibition, Coast Guard Intelligence has become more robust
and has considerably broadened its charter. Its current multi-mission
operations cover over 95,000 miles of U.S. coastlines, the U.S.
territorial seas, 3.4 million square miles of Exclusive Economic
Zones, and international waters.
On December
28, 2001, the President signed legislation that amended the National
Security Act of 1947, making Coast Guard Intelligence a member of
the Intelligence Community. IC membership highlighted the unique
contributions the Coast Guard has provided to the nation in the
past, and will enhance the Coast Guard's ability to continue to
provide valuable intelligence. Coast Guard Intelligence is unique
in that it is the only IC member whose parent agency is both an
armed force and a service organization with broad enforcement authorities.
Working within our nation's legal framework, the Coast Guard's broad
authorities have allowed the intelligence program to develop an
extensive experience in asymmetric operations that enhances our
nation's maritime posture. The Coast Guard stands ready to protect
the nation, provide unique intelligence, and ensure that the ports,
waterways, and coasts are safe and secure. |
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Related
Links
Coast
Guard Web Site
Coast
Guard Organization
Coast
Guard Internet Job Postings
What's New at Coast Guard
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