The plan is to start doing some exercises and learn how to work together A U.S. Coast Guard Advanced Interdiction Team (AIT) embarked on the guided-missile destroyer USS Mitscher (DDG 57) who is currently involved in U.S. Navy counter-piracy operations, July 23.AIT's are elite, deployable Coast Guard boarding teams comprised of highly trained maritime law enforcement specialists who are capable of Level III Non-compliant boardings. As the only organization in the U.S. government with the combined authority of a law enforcement agency, an intelligence agency, and a military service, the 12-person AIT brings additional capabilities and expertise to USS Mitscher's visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS) team.Under the Department of Homeland Security, the Coast Guard has the authority and capability to interdict, apprehend, and refer suspected criminals for prosecution. It also has expertise in gathering and building evidentiary packages required for prosecuting piracy and other maritime crimes."We can assist in evidence collection, and if a case goes to trial, we can prepare case packages," said Coast Guard Lt. j.g. Robert List, the Officer in Charge of the advanced interdiction team. "We provide technical expertise to the teams."Between operations Mitscher's VBSS team and the AIT will train together to enhance their ...
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