The U.S. Coast Guard: Maritime Strategy for Homeland Security

This book contains information that balances the Coast Guard's responsibility for upholding America's maritime security against the terrorist threat with the imperatives of preserving our fundamental liberties and economic well-being. And, it defines the Coast Guard's homeland security roles, serving as the lead federal agency for Maritime Homeland Security when responses require civil authorities, as a supporting agency to another designated lead federal agency for specific events, or as a supporting or supported commander for military operations.

By the end of the Mexican War in the 1848, the United Stated had taken possession of California, whose coastline was virtually unknown and devoid of any aids to navigation. In fact, not a single lighthouse existed along the entire West Coast. With gold fever running high and wagontrains full of pioneers pushing west towards California,, the federal government tasked four small organizations to aid mariners and provide a federal law enforcement in the wild Southwest. In time, these four agencies would combine to form the modern day U.S. Coast Guard.