SERVING FORWARD IN THE ARABIAN GULF One of the Coast Guard’s busiest commands operates far from the U.S. coastline. Based in Bahrain, the U.S. Coast Guard’s Patrol Forces Southwest Asia (PATFORSWA) works alongside the U.S. Navy and partner nations to provide maritime security in the Arabian Gulf. The mission of PATFORSWA is to train, organize, equip, support, and deploy combat-ready Coast Guard forces in support of U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) and national security objectives. PATFORSWA works with Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT) in furthering their goals to conduct persistent maritime operations to forward U.S. interests, deter and counter disruptive countries, defeat violent extremism, and strengthen partner nations’ maritime capabilities in order to promote a secure maritime environment in the CENTCOM area of responsibility (AOR).
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Coast Guard OUTLOOK
PATFORSWA exercises administrative control of six Coast Guard cutters in addition to performing the necessary support and training functions. Commander Destroyer Squadron 50 and Commander Task Force (CTF) 55 – which is actually the same organization – exercises operational and tactical command over PATFORSWA. DESRON 50/TF55 directs the operations of all Coast Guard forces in the AOR and ensure CENTCOM strategic objectives are prioritized. Six 110-foot Island-class patrol boats – the Coast Guard cutters Adak, Aquidneck, Baranof, Maui, Monomoy, and Wrangell – are forward deployed to Bahrain. PATFORSWA also includes the Maritime Engagement Team, and robust shoreside support, maintenance, and logistics components. The Advanced Interdiction Team (AIT) is deployed for six-month periods from the Maritime
U.S. NAVY PHOTO BY MASS COMMUNICATION SPECIALIST 1ST CLASS JOAN E. JENNINGS
By EDWARD LUNDQUIST
