About this Unit
NCAGS Miami, or Naval Cooperation and Guidance for Shipping Miami, is a U.S. Navy Reserve unit established to support maritime security operations within the U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) area of responsibility. The unit plays a crucial role in facilitating communication and cooperation between military forces and the commercial shipping industry, ensuring the safe passage of merchant vessels in times of conflict or crisis. NCAGS Miami frequently participates in national and multinational exercises, such as PANAMAX, to enhance regional maritime domain awareness alongside partner nations. Through its efforts, the unit contributes significantly to the protection of vital sea lines of communication and promotes stability throughout the Caribbean and Latin American maritime regions.
Historical Facts
• Naval Cooperation and Guidance for Shipping (NCAGS): NCAGS Miami is part of the U.S. Navy’s worldwide NCAGS program, which bridges the gap between military operations and the commercial shipping industry, ensuring safe maritime operations during crises and war.
• Location: Based in Miami, Florida, NCAGS Miami operates out of Naval Operations Support Center (NOSC) Miami, providing coverage for the U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) area of responsibility.
• Reservist Expertise: The unit is primarily staffed by Navy Reservists with backgrounds in merchant marine, maritime security, and logistics, providing a unique blend of civilian and military maritime expertise.
• Hurricane Response: NCAGS Miami played a critical role in coordinating maritime traffic and relief efforts during hurricanes that impacted the Caribbean and southeastern United States, such as Hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017.
• Training with Allies: The unit regularly participates in multinational exercises such as PANAMAX and Tradewinds, working closely with navies and coast guards from Latin America and the Caribbean.
• Counter-Narcotics Mission: NCAGS Miami has supported U.S. and partner nation efforts to counter illicit trafficking in the Caribbean, providing maritime domain awareness and guidance to commercial shipping to avoid areas of known smuggling activity.
• Operation Unified Response: Following the 2010 Haiti earthquake, NCAGS Miami coordinated with commercial shipping to ensure the safe arrival of humanitarian aid and to deconflict naval and civilian maritime activity in Port-au-Prince harbor.
• Unique Communication Skills: Members of NCAGS Miami are trained in both standard naval communications and commercial shipping protocols, allowing them to effectively “speak the language” of both navies and merchant mariners.
• Voluntary Service: Many of NCAGS Miami’s reservists serve on a voluntary basis, often balancing civilian careers in shipping, logistics, or port operations with their military duties.
• Historical Roots: The concept behind NCAGS dates back to World War II’s Convoy Commodore system, where experienced merchant mariners and naval officers ensured safe passage of merchant ships through dangerous waters—a tradition NCAGS Miami proudly continues today.
