Forged for the Fight: The Legacy of the Coast Guard’s Deployable Operations Group
In the ever-evolving landscape of national security, one element remains constant: the need for rapid, capable response forces. For the U.S. Coast Guard, that need was answered in 2007 with the formation of the Deployable Operations Group (DOG)—an elite command created to unify and sharpen the service’s most specialized units.
The DOG wasn’t just another organizational reshuffle—it was a mission-driven move to bring together the best of the Coast Guard’s tactical capabilities. Operating under a single command structure, these units could train, deploy, and execute high-risk missions with unmatched precision and readiness.
The Units Under the DOG
The DOG oversaw a range of specialized teams, each built for a specific mission set:
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Maritime Security Response Teams (MSRTs): The Coast Guard’s counterterrorism and direct-action forces, trained in precision boarding operations, hostage rescue, and high-risk interdictions.
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Tactical Law Enforcement Teams (TACLETs): Known for working closely with the Navy and international partners, TACLETs specialize in drug interdiction, high-seas law enforcement, and maritime security.
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Port Security Units (PSUs): Primarily composed of Reserve personnel, PSUs provide expeditionary security in ports and coastal areas, often supporting military operations overseas.
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Naval Coastal Warfare (NCV): Focused on coastal defense and maritime security during wartime or high-threat environments.
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Special Missions Training Center (SMTC): The brain behind the brawn, SMTC provided advanced tactical training to keep these units sharp and mission-ready.
These teams became the Coast Guard’s tip of the spear, frequently deploying to dangerous theaters like Iraq, Afghanistan, and regions impacted by natural disasters and piracy.
A Legacy That Endures
Although the Deployable Operations Group was disbanded in 2013, its impact didn’t vanish. Instead, its core mission and expertise were absorbed into the Coast Guard’s broader Deployable Specialized Forces (DSF) framework. The DOG may be gone in name, but its influence lives on in every precision boarding, every joint operation, and every Coastie who trained to meet chaos head-on.
At Puddle Pirate Co., we recognize the legacy of the DOG not just as a chapter in Coast Guard history—but as a symbol of what it means to be Always Ready.
Semper Paratus.
Check out our DOG design HERE
