U.S. Coast Guard in Iraq
As the smallest of the U.S. military services, the U.S. Coast Guard also had the smallest presence in Iraq. Working out of Iraq's deep water port of Umm Qasr, Coast Guard law enforcement detachments from Tactical Law Enforcement Team South performed a job that in many ways could be felt throughout the country.
Consisting of teams of about a dozen Cost Guard personnel, the LEDETs worked with Iraqi marines and navy sailors boarding and inspecting both incoming and outgoing vessels as a way to interdict those smuggling explosives, people, weapons or other items.
The job of boarding vessels and providing port security after the March 2003 invasion of Iraq was initially undertaken by the U.S. Coast Guard alone, however, responsibilities were handed over to the Iraqi naval services with Coast Guard personnel providing guidance.