Final answer:
The National Strike Force is a specialized team of the US Coast Guard that assists with environmental disasters and similar incidents, providing the On-Scene Coordinator with expertise and resources for effective response.
Step-by-step explanation:
The National Strike Force (NSF) is a special team within the United States Coast Guard (USCG) that consists of highly trained personnel specialized in responding to environmental disasters, oil spills, hazardous substances releases, and other major incidents that threaten public health and the environment. The NSF operates under the National Contingency Plan, which sets forth a national response framework to prepare for and respond to these incidents. The NSF teams assist the On-Scene Coordinator (OSC) by providing technical expertise, equipment, and manpower in managing the response operations to ensure an effective resolution to the crisis.
There are three primary NSF teams: the Atlantic Strike Team, the Gulf Strike Team, and the Pacific Strike Team, each strategically located to ensure timely response capabilities throughout the nation.