What do you do when you need to deliver a large rigid inflatable boat (RIB) to the middle of the ocean? You airdrop it using an Air Force C-130 and you call in Coastal Riverine Squadron (CRS) 1 to guard the drop zone and help recover the equipment.

That's exactly what took place off the coast of Djibouti, Africa, during exercise Epic Guardian in May. The joint exercise provided the squadron the opportunity to expand its mission capabilities and support new operations, plying its security capabilities to meet the needs of the Navy.

"Not only was this an ideal training opportunity for improving our ability to fulfill our mission, it also allowed us to undertake the planning and execution of an operation that flexed some of our abilities and pushed our Sailors to work outside their normal limits," said Cmdr. Jeffrey Marty, commanding officer, CRS-1. "This joint venture helped them understand they have the knowledge and skill to employ their patrol craft in new and exciting missions. Working with the special warfare combat-craft crewmen (SWCC) teams broadens our operational capabilities, which is vital in helping to meet the security requirements today and in the future."

CRS-1 is designated as Commander, Task Group 68.6, and its role in Djibouti is to provide port and harbor security for U.S. vessels visiting the country, which is located in the Horn of Africa, between Eritrea and Somalia along the Gulf of Aden. With increased tensions in Yemen, its role has never been more vital.

"The traffic on the water in and around the operating area has increased dramatically with the situation in Yemen, and that means an increased possibility of a threat to the vessels we are tasked to protect in transit and in the port," Marty said. "Our role it to remain vigilant in our operations 24 hours a day. Each and every day, we are tasked with a port security mission, and that is exactly what those ships coming into port demand from us. It is up to these Sailors to deliver, regardless of the conditions."

The exercise, which involved dropping 11-meter RIBs from their Air Force transport aircraft, had to be precisely executed to allow both the boats and the crews to hit the landing zone.

The procedure, known as a maritime craft aerial delivery system, is a complex evolution that culminated months of planning and coordination between the operators, the Air Force, the Coastal Riverine Forces, local construction battalion forces, and higher headquarters personnel.

"We used all of our patrol boats which provided both external security and assistance in the recovery of personnel and equipment chutes," said Senior Chief Boatswain's Mate Will Goggin, lead maritime planner for CRS-1. "This is an important milestone for the unit to ensure they have the ability to employ assets at full capacity and provide security and support as and when required by higher headquarters. A successful event shows increased flexibility and an enhanced capability the commands in the region are able to draw upon."

The communication on the water and in the air has to be timed perfectly as the C-130 needs to make several passes. Initially, the pilots need to verify the drop zone is secure followed by the passes to deliver the RIBs and SWCC personnel. Only when the boats reached the water and were operational, did the additional personnel exit the aircraft and descend to the surface. The final drop was made to prove the ability existed to deliver supplies which were needed to operate the boats.

"From start to finish the entire operation lasted ten hours for CRS-1," said Goggin. "What we learned was that the training and expertise of our Sailors demonstrated that we are ready, able and capable of performing this exact mission if a real world scenario presented itself."

The Navy's Coastal Riverine Force's primary mission is to conduct maritime security operations across all phases of military operations, by defending high value assets, critical maritime infrastructure, ports and harbors both inland and on coastal waterways, against enemies, and, when commanded, conduct offensive combat operations. The force is made up of both active and reserve components. CRS-1, which is on duty in the port of Djibouti, is comprised of reservists who deploy from the West Coast of the United States.

Camp Lemonnier supports Combined Joint Task Force Horn of Africa and other tenant commands protecting United States interests in Africa, and provides full spectrum individual support to personnel stationed on Camp Lemonnier. Camp Lemonnier partners with its host nation, Djibouti, to be a valued part of the community by fostering long-term common interests.

For more news from Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, visit www.navy.mil/local/CAMPL/