Coast Guard unit returns
October 30, 2015
Members of Coast Guard Port Security Unit 308, based at Stennis International Airport, returned home Sept 30 from a nine-month deployment to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and the global war on terrorism.
"It was a tough mission in Guantanamo, but we rose to the occasion and performed flawlessly. Our members were true to our core values of honor, respect and devotion to duty," said Cmdr. Ronzelle Green, PSU 308’s commanding officer. "We answered the call, stood the watch and accomplished our mission supporting our nation's national security strategy. I'm very proud of each of them."
Members of the all-reserve unit deployed Jan. 5. While on deployment, they maintained a continuous maritime presence in the area around Guantanamo Bay.
"Our people hit the ground running the day we arrived, and they've kept up the pace throughout the deployment," said Master Chief Petty Officer Kenneth King, the command’s master chief. "They should be proud of the great job they did protecting Joint Task Force and the Naval Station. It is not often you get the privilege of being part of a mission of such historical significance."
PSU 308 was commissioned in 1998 and has been mobilized five times: to Kuwait in 2003 and 2010, to Bahrain in 2002 and previously to Guantanamo in 2007.
The unit has 142 reservists and six active duty personnel. PSU 308 is an expeditionary warfare unit specializing in maritime anti-terrorism and force protection and port security for military and humanitarian operations worldwide. PSU 308 maintains garrison facilities as a tenant command of Coast Guard Pacific Area Command in Hancock County.