Maritime Security & Safety Team: on point for the homeland.

Fast roping out of helicopters into a hostile territory is a task usually reserved for forces like the Army Rangers, but with the unpredictable state of the world today the United States Coast Guard has stepped up its role in defending the homeland with tasks like this and more.

"It's a new Coast Guard," says Lt. Taylor Lam, officer in charge of Maritime Safety and Security Team, Detachment Two. "We're on the water with machine guns mounted in speed boats. We are a deterrent presence."

Numerically designated as "91101" in tribute to the victims of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, the Seattle-based MSST is one of four units designed to provide an anti-terrorism presence in U.S. coastal regions. With additional teams in Chesapeake, Va., Los Angeles and Houston, and plans for two more on the East Coast, their mission is to provide enhanced port safety and security to significant economic and …