Deployable Operations Group The Deployable Operations Group ( DOG ) is a United States Coast Guard command that provides properly equipped , trained and organized Deployable Specialized Forces ( DSF ) to Coast Guard , DHS , DoD and inter - agency operational and tactical commanders . Headquartered in Arlington , Virginia , it was established on 20 July 2007 , and is commanded by a Captain . Since 2007 , the DOG and DSF have deployed throughout the world in support of national interests and requirements as tailored and integrated force packages . This includes response to the 2010 Haiti earthquake , in support of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico , and more recently deploying specialized counter piracy boarding teams to the Middle East to combat piracy operations . The DOG ' s purpose is to develop systems and processes for standardized training , equipment , organization , planning , and scheduling of rapidly deployable specialized forces to execute mission objectives in support of tactical and operational commanders . The DOG is the Coast Guard ' s element of specialized forces , but is not a part of SOCOM because the Coast Guard does not operate under the Department of Defense . DOG units ' missions include high - risk , high - profile tasks such as counter - terrorism , diving operations , intelligence - cued boardings , shipboard take - downs and threat assessments involving nuclear , biological , or chemical weapons . The DOG manages Coast Guard personnel assigned to the Navy Expeditionary Combat Command ( NECC ) . It was also involved in the selection of Coast Guard candidates to attend United States Naval Special Warfare training and serve with Navy SEAL Teams . While the program is currently suspended there are still several U . S . Coast Guard members serving on the SEAL Teams . DOG units . DOG deployable specialized forces ( DSF ) are composed of approximately 2 , 000 Coast Guard personnel . Port Security Units ( PSU ) . Port Security Units are deployable expeditionary force protection units composed primarily of Coast Guard reservists . They can be deployed domestically , or abroad in support of various Department of Defense operations . Tactical Law Enforcement Teams ( TACLET ) . Tactical Law Enforcement Teams provide specialized Law Enforcement Detachments ( LEDET ) to conduct counter - narcotics law enforcement and maritime interdiction operations from U . S . and allied naval vessels . There are currently two units , Tactical Law Enforcement Team South based in Opa - locka , Florida and the Pacific Area Tactical Law Enforcement Team ( PACTACLET ) based in San Diego , California . Maritime Safety & Security Teams ( MSST ) . Maritime Safety and Security Teams ( MSSTs ) are Anti - terrorism ( Force - Presence ) units created under the Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002 ( MTSA ) in response to the terrorist attacks of September 11 , 2001 . The eleven MSSTs provide waterborne anti - terrorism and shoreside Anti - terrorism , force protection for strategic shipping , high interest vessels , and critical infrastructure . MSSTs are a quick response force capable of rapid worldwide deployment via air , ground or sea transportation in response to changing threat conditions and evolving Maritime Homeland Security ( MHS ) mission requirements . Multi - mission capability facilitates augmentation for other selected Coast Guard missions . Other federal agencies that MSST ' s train with are U . S . Navy VBSS Teams , FBI , and their local SWAT Teams . MSST special capabilities include : Maritime Security Response Team ( MSRT ) . The MSRT is a unit which utilizes counter - terrorism tactics and tradecraft . The MSRT is trained to be the first responder to potential terrorist situations , deny terrorist actions , execute security actions against non - compliant threats , tactical facility entry , participate in port level counter - terrorism exercises , and educate other forces on Coast Guard counter - terrorism procedures . Other federal agencies that MSRT routinely train with are U . S . Navy SEAL teams , U . S . Navy HSC Squadrons , the U . S . Secret Service , U . S . Border Patrol ' s BORTAC , and US Customs and Border Protection SRT . MSRT special capabilities include : Elements of the MSRT , known as the Direct Action Section ( DAS ) , are made up of Coast Guardsman that have made it through all phases of the assessment and selection process . These " Silent Professionals " train in advanced CQC ( Close Quarters Combat ) . They are trained to quickly and surreptitiously board suspicious vessels or land based targets by fast - roping from helicopters or using other undisclosed methods and neutralizing enemy personnel . The Tactical Delivery Team ( TDT ) , boat drivers , are trained in advanced vessel tactics and stealthy delivery of the DAS . National Strike Force ( NSF ) . The National Strike Force ( NSF ) was established in 1973 as a direct result of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act of 1972 . The NSF provides highly trained , experienced personnel and specialized equipment to Coast Guard and other federal agencies to facilitate preparedness for and response to oil discharges , hazardous materials releases , and Weapons of Mass Destruction ( WMD ) incidents . The National Strike Force includes five units with over 200 active duty , civilian , reserve , and auxiliary personnel . It is commanded by a Captain . Regional Dive Lockers . The DOG has two Regional Dive Lockers that provide full - time diving capability for three primary missions : Ports and Waterways Coastal Security ( PWCS ) ; Aids to Navigation ( ATON ) ; and ship husbandry and repair in remote polar regions . Regional Dive Locker East ( RDLE ) is located in Portsmouth , Virginia , and Regional Dive Locker West ( RDLW ) is located in San Diego , California .