Who is authorized to issue a return to port order in CD missions?

In Counter-Drug (CD) missions, the authority to issue a return to port order lies with Coast Guard commanders exercising Tactical Control (TACON). These commanders have the operational authority and responsibility for assets and personnel under their command, making them well-suited to make decisions concerning mission execution, including safety and logistical considerations that would warrant a return to port.

Coast Guard commanders exercising TACON are trained to assess situations on the ground, manage risks, and ensure that mission objectives align with safety protocols and regulations. Their authority stems from their operational role, which encompasses the ability to make real-time decisions based on evolving circumstances during missions.

Other options do not hold this specific authority in the context of CD missions. The Coast Guard commandant is more of a strategic leader and not involved in on-the-ground operational decisions, while local police departments and port security heads lack the jurisdiction and the specialized training to make such orders in a military or quasi-military context like CD missions.