United States Coast Guard 

International 

Affairs
Contents PAGE

Our Mission 1

International Responsibilities 2

International Policy and Operations 3

The International Advisory Group

International Operations

International Agreements

International Billets 4

Foreign Travel

Personnel Exchanges

International Visitors

USCG International Liaison Positions 5

Liaison Officers and International Organizations 6

Technical Assistance 7

Model Maritime Service Code

International Training 8

U.S. Coast Guard Academy

Resident Training

Mobile Training Teams 9

Caribbean Support Tender (CST)

Foreign Military Sales 10

Excess Defense Articles

Countries Participating in International Training 12

Helpful Links Back Cover
T

o advise, inform and assist the Commandant on strategies, foreign

policy matters, and the general impact of Coast Guard programs

and operations in international affairs. To coordinate all aspects of

Coast Guard international affairs including negotiating agreements, participating in international organizations, training foreign personnel,

arranging visits by foreign officials, providing technical assistance to foreign governments, and travel of Coast Guard personnel abroad.

Director And Foreign Policy Advisor

Gerard P. Yoest

International Policy and Operations

International Operations

International Strategic Planning

International Liaison

International Visitors

Foreign Travel

Special Projects

International Organizations, Training and 

Technical Assistance

Security Assistance

International Training

Financial Management

Participation in International 

Organizations

Foreign Military Sales

Foreign Military Sales

Excess Defense Articles

Contact Information Technical Services

Commandant (G-CI)

U.S. Coast Guard, Room 2114

2100 2nd St., SW

Washington, DC 20593-0001

Telephone: (202)267-2280

Fax: (202)267-4588

Web site:

www.uscg.mil/hq/g-ci

E-mail: intl@comdt.uscg.mil

PLAD/Cable address:

COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC//G-CI//

United States Coast Guard

International Affairs

Organization

International Affairs

Mission

1

International student at 

U.S. Coast Guard Officer Candidate School
International Responsibilities

Overview

A

s the Foreign Policy Advisor to the

Commandant, the Director of International Affairs provides advice to Coast Guard

senior leadership on national security and

foreign policy matters and ensures the consistency of Coast Guard international activities within the construct of United States foreign policy.

The International Affairs Staff ensures that

the Coast Guard's international activities are

coordinated within the interagency arena. 

Working with the Office of the Secretary

of Transportation, the Departments of

State and Defense, and Coast Guard

offices and commands, the International

Affairs Staff coordinates and monitors

Coast Guard international policy, participation in international organizations,

technical assistance and training to foreign governments, as well as other

Coast Guard international activities.

This coordination and oversight ensures

that Coast Guard contributions to achieving U.S. foreign policy objectives are

focused and effective.

In this changing world, issues such as

security, safety, the environment, international trade, law enforcement, and

economic and technical development

have risen to the top of the global agenda. As a world leader in maritime safety,

security, law enforcement and environmental stewardship, the Coast Guard is

actively engaged in these international

endeavors.

2
T

he International Affairs Staff coordinates international policy, participation, and operations within the Coast

Guard, and with other U.S. government

agencies, foreign governments, and international organizations in the following

areas:

The International Advisory Group

(IAG)

Internal coordination is a key to success

T

he Director of Coast Guard International Affairs

is the Chairman of the Coast Guard's IAG. The

IAG was chartered by the Commandant and comprises representatives from the Assistant

Commandant for Operations, the Assistant

Commandant for Marine Safety, and

Environmental Protection, the Assistant

Commandant for Human Resources, the Chief

Counsel, the two Area Commanders, and other

members as appropriate. The IAG is responsible

for coordinating aspects of Coast Guard international policy and for reaching consensus on difficult

issues. One of the key developments of the IAG is

the International Engagement Plan.

International Operations

Daily interactions enhance international cooperation

Coast Guard units regularly interact with other

nations in the course of performing their missions.

Daily search and rescue, marine safety, and law

enforcement actions involve foreign nationals, aircraft, and vessels. The Coast Guard conducts

combined exercises and other cooperative efforts

with numerous international counterparts. Coast

Guard International Affairs assists as necessary in

these endeavors.

International Agreements

International cooperation enhances Coast Guard

performance

The International Affairs Staff often coordinates

or is involved in agreement negotiation. The

United States is party to international agreements

covering search and rescue, maritime safety, pollution response, personnel exchange, technology

sharing, and law enforcement. These agreements

enhance the Coast Guard's performance, save

lives and money, and lead to greater standardization of the world's maritime regulations.

The International Affairs Staff formulates and

publishes policy goals throughout the service.

These goals are coordinated closely with the

Department of State, Department of Defense, and

Coast Guard program managers. The

International Affairs Staff maintains a database of

Coast Guard agreements and compiles information on other international agreements that affect

the Coast Guard.

International Policy and Operations 

3

The Coast Guard hosts many international visitors

which enhance international cooperative efforts.

U.S. Coast Guard and Argentine Coast Guard

discuss items of mutual interest
International Policy

and Operations continued 

International Billets

Members of the Coast Guard serve overseas to

advance U.S. interests

C

oast Guard liaison officers, advisors, and attachés

are assigned to U.S. embassy staffs and geographic U.S. Commanders-in-Chiefs in many locations. Other Coast Guard officers serve on international narcotics task forces or are part of the United

States' overseas security assistance network. The

International Affairs Staff sponsors security assistance billets and serves as a link between Coast

Guard personnel stationed overseas and the rest of

the Coast Guard. Locations of USCG international billets are shown on the next page.

Foreign Travel

Monitoring the Coast Guard's official foreign travel

The International Affairs Staff monitors flag level

and other high interest Coast Guard official foreign

travel, provides information on the countries/regions

to be visited, and assists Coast Guard personnel on

procedural and diplomatic matters with U.S. and foreign embassies.

Personnel Exchanges

Serving with other nations’ forces

The Coast Guard participates in personnel exchange

programs with other nations, such as the United

Kingdom, Canada and Argentina. Agreements provide for the long-term reciprocal exchange of pilots

with the Royal Air Force, the Royal Navy, and the

Canadian Forces. The Argentine Coast Guard

(Prefectura Naval) also has a Liaison Officer

assigned to U.S. Coast Guard Headquarters. In addition to the experience gained, the service derives

benefit from the experience provided by officers from

other countries. These exchanges offer partner services and the Coast Guard a better understanding of

how each operates and is organized.

International Visitors

Foreign officials visit Coast Guard installations

Many foreign officials visit the Unites States and the

Coast Guard every year. These visits range from

courtesy calls on the Commandant to working level

meetings addressing policy and operational issues. 

These visits help build strong working relationships

between the Coast Guard and counterpart organizations. The International Affairs Staff hosts visitors who

come to headquarters,coordinates visits to field units,

and provides background information on issues of

concern to units hosting international guests.

4

An HU-25 Medium Range Surveillance aircraft

International Student on a

familiarization flight.
BAHAMAS

Coast Guard Liaison

Operational Bahamas and Turks

and Caicos (OPBAT)

U.S. Embassy, Nassau

BARBADOS

Chief Military Liaison Officer

U.S. Embassy, Bridgetown

Barbados

CANADA

Exchange Pilots

Canadian Forces

COLOMBIA

Coast Guard Defense Attaché

U.S. Embassy, Bogota

COSTA RICA

Chief Office of Defense

Representative

U.S. Embassy San Jose

CUBA

Drug Interdiction Specialist

U.S. Interest Section

Swiss Embassy, Havana

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

Coast Guard Defense Attaché

Military Liaison Officer

U.S. Embassy, Santo Domingo

ECUADOR

USCG Defense Attaché

U.S. Embassy, Quito

JAMAICA

Coast Guard Defense Attaché

U.S. Embassy Kingstown

JAPAN

Far East Activities

Marine Inspection Office

Yakota, Japan

HAITI

Chief Military Liaison Officer

Coast Guard Liaison

U.S. Embassy, Port-au-Prince

MEXICO

Coast Guard Defense Attaché

U.S. Embassy, Mexico City

NETHERLANDS

Activities Europe/

Marine Inspection Office

Rotterdam

NETHERLANDS ANTILLES

International Maritime

Organization

Regional Consultant

Curaçao, Netherlands Antilles

NICARAGUA

USCG Defense Attaché

U.S. Embassy, Managua

PANAMA

U.S. Defense Attaché

Coast Guard Attaché

Panama Canal Authority Liaison

U.S. Embassy, Panama City

PUERTO RICO

Technical Assistance Field Team

(TAFT)

PERU

Riverine Program Coordinator

U.S. Embassy, Lima

SINGAPORE

Marine Inspection Detachment

SWEDEN

Associate Professor

World Maritime University

Malmo, Sweden

TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO

Military Liaison Officer

U.S. Embassy, Port-of-Spain

UNITED KINGDOM

Exchange Pilots

Royal Navy

Royal Air Force

VENEZUELA

Coast Guard Defense Attaché

U.S. Embassy, Caracas

USCG International Liaison Officers, Advisors and Attachés

5
USJFCOM

Coast Guard Liaison

Norfolk, Virginia

CENTCOM

Security Assistance Officer

Tampa, Florida

CINCPACFLT

Coast Guard Liaison Officer

Honolulu, HI

COMTHIRDFLT

Coast Guard Liaison

San Diego, CA

JCS

Coast Guard Liaison

Washington, DC

UNITED NATIONS

U.S. Missions to the United

Nations

United Nations Headquarters

New York, New York

EUCOM

Security Assistance Officers

(2)

Vaihingen, Germany

PACOM

Coast Guard Liaison

Honolulu, Hawaii

SOUTHCOM

Security Assistance Officer

Coast Guard Liaison

Miami, Florida

COMNAVCENT

Maritime Liaison Officer

Maritime Advisor

Manama, Bahrain

COMNAVFOR KOREA

Coast Guard Liaison Officer

Seoul, South Korea

TRANSCOM

Coast Guard Liaison

Scott AFB, IL

COMNAVSOUTH

Coast Guard Liaison Officer

Roosevelt Roads

Puerto Rico

T

he International Affairs Staff coordinates and

monitors Coast Guard involvement, including

policy and position formulation, in several international organizations, including:

International Maritime Organization (IMO)

International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)

International Labor Organization (ILO)

International Lifeboat Federation (ILF)

International Telecommunications Union (ITU)

International Association of Lighthouse Authorities

(IALA)

These organizations develop standards that substantially impact the world economy, maritime

community, and affect the Coast Guard in many

mission areas. The Coast Guard works to ensure 

that the work done and the standards adopted by

these organizations are compatible with United

States goals and policies.

The Department of State has delegated responsibility to the Coast Guard for a large part of the

United States' representation in the IMO. The

Coast Guard leads the delegations to the

Assembly, the Maritime Safety Committee, the

Marine Environment Protection Committee, the

Legal Committee, the Facilitation Committee,

and to all technical subcommittees.

USCG Liaison Officers To U.S. Commander’s-in-Chiefs and Component

Commanders

International Organizations

6
T

he experi ence of the Coast Guard in

organizing, managing, training, and operating a

multi-mission maritime service has been studied

and often emulated by maritime services of other

nations. Frequently, the Coast Guard is requested

to assist other nations in enhancing or developing

their maritime services. 

The strengthening of other nations' maritime capabilities supports U.S. national security and foreign

policy objectives by promoting cooperation and

compliance with international laws, by en-couraging harmonized standards throughout the world,

and by promoting internationally recognized human

rights. Assistance to other nations is provided in a

variety of ways, ranging from complete design of a

coast guard service to answering operational questions about Coast Guard equipment or activities.

Technical assistance is provided through expert

analysis and counsel, equipment transfers, and

training.

The Coast Guard developed a Model Maritime

Service Code to identify the fundamental legal

authority that a multi-mission, maritime service

needs to function effectively. Training in this Model

Code has been presented to over 20 countries.

The Coast Guard will soon have an International

Maritime Operations Manual to help new maritime services develop operational doctrines and

procedures to exercise their legal authority.

Technical Assistance 

A Model Maritime

Agency

7

A Cadet training on USCG Barque

EAGLE

Portable Pump repair training

U.S. Coast Guard 

High Endurance Cutter
C

oast Guard international training helps

many nations strengthen their maritime services. The Coast Guard provides training through the

U.S. Coast Guard Academy International Cadet

Program, leadership, management and technical

training provided at Coast Guard schools and

operational units in the United States and Mobile

Training Teams (MTTs) in host counties. The

Coast Guard receives reimbursement for this training.

Coast Guard Academy

Four-year education for select international students

The Coast Guard accepts a limited number of highly qualified international students to attend the U.S.

Coast Guard Academy in New London, CT. Since

1971, over 80 cadets from 33 countries have graduated from the Academy. Academy graduates have

served as heads of service and in other leadership

positions around the world.

Resident Training

Foreign students attend U.S. Coast Guard specialty schools

Each year over 300 students from more than

75 countries attend over 400 courses of instruction

at Coast Guard schools and receive on-the-job

training at operational units. With more than 120

courses available, international students can learn

technical, management and leadership skills in all

U.S. Coast Guard mission areas, as well as

observe and practice those skills in an operational

environment. Among the institutions hosting international students are Training Centers located in

Mobile, AL, Petaluma, CA and Yorktown, VA, as

well as the Leadership Development Center in

New London, CT. See pages 13 and 14 for countries that have sent students to USCG schools.

The Coast Guard also offers professional military

education in a specialized course entitled the

International Maritime Officers Course (IMOC).

It is only open to international students and is

attended by mid-level officers from around the

world. 

Since the first convening class in March 1995, 362

students from 88 countries have graduated from

this course. IMOC participants study the organization, planning, management and operation of a

multi-mission maritime force. Presented in a seminar format with guest instructors and lecturers from

the military, civilian, and academic communities,

IMOC helps develop maritime service leaders who

will hold positions of prominence and responsibility.

While attending IMOC, students participate in activities that expose them to many aspects of American

society.

A growing area of emphasis throughout the world is

crisis management. For this reason, the Coast

Gaurd developed a course that was specifically

designed for tackling the difficult issues involved in

a major maritime crisis. The Crisis Command and

Control Course (International) is designed to

strengthen command and staff functions in the

management of and response to emergency situations. This international-only course includes best

practices learned through our own practical experience in disasters such the Exxon Valdex in Alaska,

TWA crash off Long Island, and several major hurricanes. Partcipants study Environmental Pollution

Response and Control, SAR Coordination, Interagency Coordination - military, civilian, federal,

state and NGO, best methods for handling public

affairs in a high stress environment, risk management, and incident command system.

The course also covers exercise design and development as a core component in the process of

development of a high state of organizational preparedness. Students work on a pre-designed hurricane scenario to develop and implement major

objectives, supporting objectives, major sequence

of events, exercise data collection and analysis.

International Training

Corps of Cadets on parade at the Coast Guard

Academy

8

IMOC class

graduation
Mobile Training Teams

USCG specialists traveling to other countries

Each year Coast Guard training and technical assistance teams train approximately 2,500 international

students in approximately 60 countries. Training is

available in all Coast Guard mission areas and is tailored to host nation needs. The Coast Guard can

deliver a complete package of training to small

groups, multi-agency audiences, or several nations

in a regional forum. Instructors often utilize lesson

plans in the host nation's language for infusion into

the host nation's training program.

The Coast Guard International Training and

Technical Assistance Division (ITD) located at

Training Center Yorktown, Virginia is the backbone of the Coast Guard's effort to provide training

worldwide. Working with the International Affairs

Staff, the ITD provides training and consulting services in maritime law enforcement, marine

safety/environmental protection, small boat operation and maintenance, search and rescue, and

infrastructure development for countries with waterway law enforcement programs. ITD personnel

receive training in counter-terrorism, force protection, survival skills, and advanced training in their

specialty fields. They are cross-trained in several

Coast Guard missions. In addition, many ITD personnel are sent to Spanish language immersion

training before deploying abroad. See pages 13 and

14 for countries which have received USCG MTTs.

As of 2002, the Coast Guard had long-term infrastructure development training in Antigua,

Azerbaijan, Bolivia, Costa Rica, Georgia,

Panama, and Peru.

Since 1985, the Coast Guard has provided a threeperson Technical Assistance Field Team (TAFT)

to supply engineering and logistical support for

seven Eastern Caribbean island nations. The TAFT

is based in Puerto Rico and is funded by DOD’s

Security Assistance Program.

Caribbean Support Tender (CST)

The Sea Borne Dimension of the U.S. International

Engagement Strategy

The CST, USCG Cutter GENTIAN, is a 180 ft buoy

tender converted into a mobile training facility that

provides programs in maritime law enforcement,

search and rescue, and vessel operation to many

Caribbean region nations. The GENTIAN crew is

augmented by many full time professionals from

Caribbean, Central, and South American nations

per a number of formal agreements. The CST has

workshops, tools, spare parts, and technicians to

carry out vessel maintenance and deliver the “total

support package” of training, logistics, and maintenance.

Supported in part by Commander, U.S. Southern

Command, and the Department of State, the CST

improves the capability of Caribbean nations to

operate excess U.S. Coast Guard equipment, provide for their own security and safety, and deter the

trafficking of drugs, weapons and migrants in the

region. 

9

Law Enforcement Training, Use of Force

National flags of students graduating from Training

Center Yorktown, VA

USCGC Gentian
T

he Coast Guard helps to

provide other countries

with equipment for their maritime missions through the

Foreign Military Sales portion of the Security Assitance program. As the

Coast Guard replaces its

ship and boat inventory, it

releases assets for sale/

transfer to other countries.

The International Affairs

Staff acts as a facilitator in

the transfer of Coast Guard

excess defense articles.

The Coast Guard Foreign

Military Sales (FMS) program helps many nations

strengthen their maritime

services by providing equipment and support

services. The Coast Guard provides both excess

and new-construction vessels to clients selected

by the United States government. In addition to

cutters and boats, the Coast Guard provides

clients with access to the most modern Search

and Rescue planning tools and equipment. The

Coast Guard provides industrial overhaul of aircraft and shipboard components. The Coast

Guard receives full reimbursement for these articles and services.

Since 1997, the Coast Guard has transferred over

83 vessels to more than 20 countries and has

plans to transfer an additional 45 vessels by

2004. Over 850 crewmembers from foreign maritime services have received technical and operational training during the transfer of these vessels.

Transfer programs also include logistics and technical support to ensure continued operation of the

vessles.

The Coast Guard DEEPWATER program will

offer significant FMS opportunities in the future.

Clients will be able to obtain new-construction

vessels and aircraft as well as existing legacy

platforms that are made excess by USCG acquistion of new systems.

Foreign Military Sales and Excess

Defense Article Transfers 

10

Delivery of 44’ MLB to Guyana

Ex CGC BITTERSWEET, now in service with the

Estonian Coast Guard

Transfer ceremony of a 82’ class

Coast Guard cutter to Turkmenistan
11

Antigua

El Salvador

Jamaica

Tunisia 

Estonia

Argentina

Panama

Turkmenistan

Chile 

Philippines

United Kingdom

Colombia

Georgia

Saudi Arabia

Uruguay 

Costa Rica

Ghana

Seychelles 

Venezuela

Dominican Republic

Guyana 

St Lucia

Ecuador

Honduras 

Trinidad & Tobago

France

44’ MLB in service with the Chilean Navy

Delivery of a

U.S. Coast Guard Point Class 

cutter to the Phillipine Navy

Foreign Military Sales to these

countries since 1997:
INTERNATIONAL TRAINING

1 Countries that have sent students to USCG Schools

2 Countries that have hosted USCG Mobile Training Teams

3 Countries that have hosted USCG Mobile Training Teams and sent students to USCG Schools

Albania3

Algeria3

Afghanistan1

Antigua & Barbuda3

Argentina3

Aruba2

Australia3

Bahamas3

Bahrain3

Bangladesh3

Barbados3

Belize3

Benin3

Bermuda3

Bolivia3

Botswana1

Brazil3

British Virgin Islands1

Brunei1

Bulgaria3

Cambodia1

Cameroon3

Canada1

Cape Verde3

Cayman Islands3

Chile3

China1

Colombia3

Comoros1

Costa Rica3

Cote D'Ivoire3

Croatia3

Cyprus3

Denmark1

Devon1

Djibouti1

Dominica3

Dominican Republic3

Ecuador3

Egypt1

El Salvador3

Equatorial Guinea1

Eritrea3

Estonia3

Fiji3

Finland1

France1

French Guiana2

Gabon2

Gambia1

Georgia3

Germany1

Ghana1

Greece3

Grenada3

Guadeloupe3

Guatemala3

Guinea3

Guinea-Bissau3

Guyana3

Haiti3

Honduras3

Hong Kong3

Hungary3

Iceland3

India3

Indonesia3

Ireland1

Israel1

Italy1

Jamaica3

Japan3

Jordan3

Kazakhstan3

Kenya3

Korea (South) 1

Kuwait3

Latvia3

Lebanon3

Liberia3

Lithuania3

Macedonia3

Madagascar3

Malawi1

Malaysia3

Maldives1

Malta3

Marshall Islands3

Martinique3

Mauritania3

12
13

Mauritius3

Mexico3

Micronesia3

Montserrat1

Morocco3

Mozambique3

Namibia3

Netherlands1

Netherlands Antilles3

New Zealand1

Nicaragua3

Nigeria3

Norway3

Oman3

Pakistan2

Palau3

Panama3

Papua-New Guinea3

Peru3

Philippines3

Pohn pei1

Poland3

Port Sudan1

Portugal3

Qatar2

Romania3

Russia3

Samoa1

Sao Tome and Principe1

Saudi Arabia1

Senegal3

Seychelles3

Solomon Islands3

South Africa1

Spain2

Sierra Leone3

Singapore1

Slovenia1

Sri Lanka1

St. Kitts3

St. Lucia3

St. Vincent3

Sudan1

Suriname3

Sweden1

Switzerland1

Syria1

Taiwan1

Tanzania3

Thailand3

Tonga1

Trinidad & Tobago3

Tunisia3

Turkey3

Turkmenistan3

Tuvalu2

Uganda1

Ukraine3

United Arab Emirates3

United Kingdom1

Uruguay3

Uzbekistan3

Vanuatu3

Venezuela3

Western Samoa3

Yemen3

Yugoslavia1

Zaire1
COMMANDANT (G-CI)

U.S. COAST GUARD

2100 2nd St. SW

WASHINGTON, DC 20593-0001

TELEPHONE: (202) 267-2280

FAX: (202) 267-4588

E-MAIL: intl@comdt.uscg.mil

Our Internet Web Site: http://www.uscg.mil/hq/g-ci/intl.htm

Useful Links:

State Department Electronic Journal: http://usinfo.state.gov/regional/ea/

U.S. Foreign Policy State Department site: http://www.state.gov/www/policy.html

CIA World Factbook http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/

State Department Country Background Notes http://www.state.gov/r/pa/bgn/ 

Country Maps http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/index.html

Embassies and Consulates http://usembassy.state.gov/ 

Treaties and Agreements http://usinfo.state.gov/usa/infousa/laws/tradeagr.htm

Country Profiles http://www.infoplease.com/countries.html

International Informational Programs http://usinfo.state.gov/homepage.htm

Independent States of the World http://www.state.gov/www/regions/independent_states.html/ 

State Department Principal Officers, Ambassadors, and Chiefs of Mission http://www.state.gov/r/pa/biog/nom

Revised Mar 2002