Coastal Riverine Squadron 8 Conducts Field Exercises at NAVSTA Newport

NEWPORT, R.I. (Aug. 21, 2013) Navy Reserve Sailors from Coastal Riverine Squadron (CRS) 8 prepare to launch their 34-foot Sea Ark patrol boats from Stillwater Basin into Narragansett Bay to perform high speed maneuvering exercises as part of their annual training at Naval Station Newport, R.I., Aug. 12-23. The two-week training tested the unit's readiness to fulfill their worldwide missions that include harbor and homeland defense, coastal surveillance and special missions. (U.S. Navy photo by Lt. Cmdr. Jonathan Sym/Released)

By Lt. Cmdr. Jonathan Sym, Coastal Riverine Squadron 8   

NEWPORT, R.I. (NNS) -- Three-hundred Navy Reservists from Coastal Riverine Squadron (CRS) 8 conducted training and field exercises at Naval Station Newport, R.I., Aug. 12-23, as part of their annual training.

The two-week training tested the unit's readiness to fulfill its worldwide missions that include harbor and homeland defense, coastal surveillance and special missions.

"We can provide anti-terrorism/force protection for Navy assets anywhere in the world," said Capt. Guy Vilardi, commanding officer of CRS 8. "Our annual training is critically important to our ability to execute any assigned mission, and we are grateful for Naval Station Newport's tremendous efforts to support us."

As one of the largest commissioned Reserve units in the Navy, members of the squadron were engaged in waterside and landward security training that included tactical field care and evacuation of injured personnel, port and harbor security as well as tactical day and night operations in the bay, launched from Stillwater Basin.

"To immediately put into practice what we learned, in and out of the classroom, was an outstanding experience during the annual training," said Master-at-Arms 1st Class Christopher Hebert, assigned to CRS 8. "It was also great to have the opportunity to exchange ideas and best practices with my fellow shipmates in my rate."

CRS 8 is a Navy Reserve unit based at Naval Station Newport, R.I., with companies in Newport; Annapolis, Md.; and Groton, Conn. Coastal Riverine Force Sailors conduct port and harbor security, high value asset protection, offensive combat operations and maritime security operations in rivers, harbors and coastal waterways.

NECC Announces Formation of Coastal Riverine Force

From Navy Expeditionary Combat Command Public Affairs

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (NNS) -- Navy Expeditionary Combat Command (NECC) is establishing a new command, the Coastal Riverine Force (CORIVFOR), a merger of Riverine Group 1 and the Maritime Expeditionary Security Force (MESF), June 1.

CORIVFOR will perform core maritime expeditionary security missions in the green and brown waters bridging the gap between traditional Navy blue water operations and land-based forces, spanning the capabilities that currently reside with the riverine and expeditionary security force.

"We are combining maritime expeditionary and riverine forces to preserve a range of capabilities in brown, blue and green water environments," said Capt. James C. Hamblet, commodore of Maritime Expeditionary Security Group (MESG) 2. "Although Coastal Riverine Force will predominantly perform force protection type missions, when required it will be capable of conducting offensive operations which will enhance mission effectiveness throughout the force."

CORIVFOR will be composed of active and Reserve component unit capable of defending high value assets against a determined enemy and, when ordered, conducting offensive combat operations. Capable of conducting 24-hour operations, CORIVFOR will provide port and harbor security, offshore protection for maritime infrastructure and Military Sealift Command ships operating in coastal waterways. When necessary elements of this force will provide offensive combat capabilities.

CORIVFOR will utilize a mix of maritime expeditionary security and riverine equipment with plans to procure additional craft in the future.

CORIVFOR will be comprised of two Echelon IV groups, Coastal Riverine Group (CORIVGRU) 1 homeported in Imperial Beach, Calif. with squadrons located in San Diego at the Naval Amphibious Base. CORIVGRU 2 will be homeported in Portsmouth, Va. with active squadrons located at Norfolk Naval Shipyard, Portsmouth, Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story (JEBLC-FS), Va., a forward deployed detachment in Bahrain, and reserve squadrons located in Newport, R.I. and Jacksonville, Fla.

"By combining capabilities we will be able to provide a more effective way of expanding maritime security both inland and on coastal waterways," said Hamblet.

The establishment of Coastal Riverine Force will take place June 1 at JEBLC-FS for CORIVGRU 2 and Imperial Beach, Calif. for CORIVGRU 1. The force's initial operating capability is slated for October 2012 and the CORIVFOR will reach Full Operational Capability in Oct. 2014. All current and scheduled routine deployments will continue as normal. Hamblet will become the first commodore of CORIVGRU 2. Capt. Eric Moss, commordore of Maritime Expeditionary Security Group (MESG) 1, will command CORIVGRU 1.

CORIVFOR is a component of NECC and provides flexible responsive maritime security forces capable of performing high level security.