Breakfast Event

Captain Berry assumed command of Maritime Security Response Team West in July 2022. In that role, he is responsible for the West Coast’s short-notice maritime response force, which specializes in counterterrorism and high risk enforcement throughout the IndoPacific. He also oversees all of the Service’s operational divers who deploy globally from commands in Hawaii, California, and Virginia.

His previous assignment was as Commanding Officer of Tactical Law Enforcement Team Pacific where he oversaw 10 Law Enforcement Detachments that executed 125 drug interdictions, apprehended 426 traffickers and seized 142 tons of narcotics valued at $4.7 billion, representing one third of all drugs seized in the maritime transit zone.

Prior to command, Captain Berry served as Chief of Response Operations at Sector Detroit, Michigan, where he managed eight multi-mission boat stations on the Great Lakes and oversaw maritime law enforcement, port security, search-and-rescue, and pollution responses along the international border with Canada. Before his Response Department Head tour, he served as Chief of the Enforcement Division at Sector Detroit.

Following his initial tour onboard USCGC VALIANT homeported in Miami Beach, Florida, he served in various operational assignments at specialized deployable units including: Officer in Charge of Law Enforcement Detachment 408 in Miami, Florida; Operations Officer at Tactical Law Enforcement Team South in Miami Florida; and Executive Officer of Maritime Safety and Security Team 91107 in Honolulu, Hawaii. In those capacities, he managed unit training and readiness and led teams on missions in support of U.S. and coalition task forces around the globe, conducting counterdrug operations in the Eastern Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea, counterpiracy missions off the Horn of Africa, and maritime interdiction and security operations in the Arabian Gulf during Operation IRAQI FREEDOM.

Captain Berry’s staff assignments include serving as an Interagency Facilitator at the Global Maritime Operational Threat Response Coordination Center in Washington, D.C., Aide to the Eleventh District Commander, and Operations Controller at the Pacific Area and Eleventh District Command Center in Alameda, California.

He is a 2001 graduate of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy where he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Management. He also earned a Master of Science degree in Joint Campaign Planning and Strategy from the National Defense University’s Joint Advanced Warfighting School.

Captain Berry’s personal awards and honors include the Tactical Law Enforcement Insignia, Advanced Boat Forces Operations Insignia, Meritorious Service Medal, Coast Guard Commendation Medal, Coast Guard Achievement Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, and various other unit, campaign, and service awards. He has also earned designation as an Honorary Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer.