WASHINGTON - The U.S. Coast Guard will stand-up the Deployable Operations Group during an establishment ceremony 7 p.m. Friday at Fort Lesley J. McNair.

The Deployable Operations Group aligns all Coast Guard deployable, specialized forces under a single, unified command headed by a Rear Adm. Thomas F. Atkin. The command will provide organized, equipped, and trained forces to Coast Guard and interagency operational and tactical commanders.

"The Coast Guard's Deployable Operations Group will combine specially trained and equipped maritime homeland safety and security forces throughout the Coast Guard so they can be rapidly deployed in adaptive force packages anywhere and anytime they are needed to protect America and respond to a broad range of threats and hazards," said Adm. Thad W. Allen, commandant of the Coast Guard.

Deployable specialized forces are comprised of approximately 3,000 Coast Guard personnel from 12 Maritime Safety and Security Teams, the Maritime Security Response Team, two Tactical Law Enforcement Teams, eight Port Security Units, three National Strike Teams and the National Strike Force Coordination Center.

The Deployable Operations Group is temporarily sited in Arlington, Va., and is staffed by 101 active duty officers, enlisted, reservists, auxiliary and civilians.

NOTE TO EDITORS:  Media wishing to cover the ceremony, or to attend a noon Friday media availability by the principals, should contact Lt. James McLay at (202) 493-1130 before 4 p.m. Thursday to arrange access to Fort McNair

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