Watching the video of crew members from the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) Cutter Munro board and interdict a self-propelled, semi-submersible drug-smuggling vessel on 18 June 2019 is exciting. Their actions were heroic and highly productive. Because of that bravery, 39,000 pounds of cocaine and 933 pounds of marijuana worth a combined estimated $569 million was seized. For the average person, the video is thrilling. However, for the U.S. Coast Guard, it was just another day in the office. DomPrep salutes the men and women of the USCG who are “Always Ready” to prevent the next maritime disaster and respond to the call when needed.
Domestic Preparedness’ Publisher, Martin (Marty) Masiuk recently conducted a podcast interview with Domestic Preparedness Advisor CDR Joseph J. Leonard Jr. (USCG, ret.) to hear his reaction on this extraordinary drug seizure. Joe then elaborates on the many missions that the Coast Guard conduct every day.
Listen on
Joseph J. Leonard Jr.
Vice President, Emergency Management Solutions Inc.
CDR Joe Leonard is a nationally recognized emergency responder, incident manager, and trainer
with 42 years of U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Army, volunteer municipal fire service, and private-sector
experience responding to natural disasters, oil spills, hazardous materials releases, marine fires, mass
rescue operations, mass care and shelter events, national special security events, and maritime homeland
security events. He is currently the vice president and chief operating officer of Emergency Management
Solutions Inc. He was recognized with the prestigious U.S. Navy League’s Captain David H. Jarvis Award
for Inspirational Leadership and was named a Fox News “Power Player of the Week” on 11 September 2005
for his services as the FEMA-designated Area Commander-Houston Area Mega-Shelter Operations following
landfall of Hurricane Katrina. He holds certifications as a Master Exercise Practitioner, Master
Continuity Professional, Certified Emergency Manager, Coast Guard Emergency Management Credential,
Certified Homeland Protection Professional, and Certified Port Executive. He has a bachelor’s degree in
History from the Virginia Military Institute and a master’s degree in Engineering Technology from Murray
State University.
Martin D. Masiuk
Martin (Marty) Masiuk is president and founder of International Media Representatives Inc. (IMR Group Inc.), which was established in 1986 as an American-based media representation firm for overseas, aerospace, and defense publications. In 1998, under the IMR Group, he established DomesticPreparedness.com, which has evolved into a highly trusted, and important information service for the multi-disclipline, multi-jurisdiction preparedness community. In 2014, he transitioned the DomPrep40 into the Preparedness Leadership Council to lessen the burden on and increase the effectiveness of operational preparedness professionals and help policy professionals make better-informed decisions. Prior to IMR Group, he served as an account representative for McGraw Hill’s Business Week and Aviation Week & Space Technology publications.
