DHS Secretary visits Portsmouth

PORTSMOUTH, Va. - The Secretary of Homeland Security watched counter-terrorism units with the Coast Guard in Portsmouth board a hostile ship Monday in the Elizabeth River.

It was a drill, requested by Secretary Janet Napolitano. She wanted to see with her own eyes how prepared the Coast Guard is to deal with terrorist threats in a speedy manner.

Napolitano, on board the Coast Guard Cutter Frank Drew, watched as an elite Coast Guard Maritime Security Response Team (MSRT) boarded the cutter from fast boats and from a Jayhawk helicopter.

"It requires lots of training, the right kind of equipment, and it requires good leadership, all of which are present in the Coast Guard," said Napolitano.

Secretary Napolitano said the Coast Guard's responsibilities have grown tremendously in recent years, far beyond search and rescue and drug interdiction.

"It also can be weapons of mass destruction, terrorists trying to interfere with our major ports, shut them down. If you shut down this port, for example, you'd be shutting down the major port for the export of coal in this country and that would have a major economic impact that would ripple through," said Napolitano.

She promised to supply the Coast Guard with the equipment it needs to do its ever-increasing job.

She also credited the Coast Guard with protecting the immense amount of cargo that comes through local ports. She said that is critical to the economy of the region and of the country.

On the web: U.S. Coast Guard5th District Public Information Site