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Global Enforcers Coast Guard law enforcement detachments tackle piracy at its source. by LT JAMES MCLAY ([HFXWLYH 2IÀFHU U.S. Coast Guard Station New York LCDR HANS STAFFELBACH Tactical Law Enforcement Team Force Manager USCG Deployable Operations Group The Modern Threat The world has witnessed a dramatic increase in piracy for the past 20 years in the Straits of Malacca in the South China Sea; off the coast of Brazil; in the Caribbean; and, most notably, in the Gulf of Aden and Horn of Africa near the Arabian Peninsula. The land encompassing the Horn of Africa is divided DPRQJ ÀYH FRXQWULHV (ULWUHD 6RPDOLD (WKLRSLD 'ML- bouti, and Kenya. The strategic importance of this area can be attributed to the oil and gas production of the region, and the sea lanes that connect major trading ports in India, Asia, and East Africa. How- ever, the lack of a centralized government in Somalia, rampant poverty, and high unemployment has fueled the rise of piracy in this region, as demonstrated by the approximately 640 ships that have been attacked and the 3,150 hostages taken since 2007.1 For years, Coast Guard law enforcement detachments /('(7V KDYH KHOSHG VWHP WKH ÁRZ RI LOOHJDO QDUFRW- LFV WKURXJK WKH &DULEEHDQ; DQG (DVWHUQ 3DFLÀF FRU- ridors. These small teams—eight or nine members each—are endowed with federal law enforcement authority, and the tactics, techniques, and procedures they have developed from three decades of chasing drug bandits are proving particularly useful in sup- porting the counter-piracy mission in the Gulf of Aden/Horn of Africa region. Combined Task Force 151 In January 2009, Combined Maritime Forces, a joint ÁHHW RI DVVHWV IURP PRUH WKDQ D GR]HQ FRXQWULHV www.uscg.mil/proceedings established Combined Task Force (CTF) 151 to con- duct counter-piracy operations in the Horn of Africa and Gulf of Aden region. CTF 151's charter is to pro- tect global maritime security and ensure the free- GRP RI QDYLJDWLRQ IRU WKH EHQHÀW RI DOO QDWLRQV 7KLV multi-national task force manages its daily operations aboard ships such as the U.S. Navy guided missile cruiser USS Anzio, and is comprised of personnel from numerous coalition nations. The task force has been commanded by U.S., Turkish, and Korean naval representatives, exemplifying the unity of effort to defend against piracy aggression.2 The show of force on the waters near the Horn of Africa and Gulf of Aden region has been impressive, however, it has not entirely eliminated pirate activity. Brazen acts of hostility toward ocean freighters, plea- sure craft, and military warships continue, especially during the months between monsoon seasons where temperate weather conditions and calm sea states cre- ate ideal pirating conditions. CTF 151 continues to produce tangible results, in spite of the relentless determination of the pirates. In 2008, roughly 40 percent of pirate attacks were successful. With the standup of CTF 151, the following year saw successful attacks decrease to 22 percent.3 Coast Guard Contributions Coast Guard LEDETs have participated in CTF 151 operations from its inception. These full-time federal continued on page 53 Spring 2012 Proceedings 51 Response