Patrol Forces Southwest Asia
Encyclopedia
Patrol Forces Southwest Asia or PATFORSWA is a United States Coast Guard
command based in Manama
, Bahrain
. PATFORSWA was created in November 2002 as a contingency operation to support the U.S. Navy
with patrol boats. The command’s mission is to train, equip, deploy and support maritime forces conducting operations in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) In the Naval Forces Central Command’s area of responsibility.
It was commissioned as a permanent duty station in June 2004. In July 2003 PATFORSWA moved from its own compound to facilities at Naval Support Activity Bahrain
.
, train foreign military units throughout the region, and conduct demonstrations for visiting VIP's.
to support the shipment of materials in and out of war zones. Their mission is to assist the Department of Defense
with the safe re-deployment of containerized
cargo as well as the storage and segregation of hazardous materials. The Coast Guard's goal is to ensure that hazardous material is properly prepared for shipment and re-entry to U.S. ports. The team moves from one Forward Operating Base
to another, making them among the few Coast Guardsmen that have been so far forward with the U.S. Army in a combat zone.
While the first RAID was deployed in 2003, they were first brought under the PATFORSWA command structure in 2010.
. In addition, all shore-side personnel provide anti-terrorism force protection (ATFP) support.
United States Coast Guard
The United States Coast Guard is a branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven U.S. uniformed services. The Coast Guard is a maritime, military, multi-mission service unique among the military branches for having a maritime law enforcement mission and a federal regulatory agency...
command based in Manama
Manama
Manama is the capital and largest city of Bahrain, with an approximate population of 155,000 people.Long an important trading center in the Persian Gulf, Manama is home to a very diverse population...
, Bahrain
Bahrain
' , officially the Kingdom of Bahrain , is a small island state near the western shores of the Persian Gulf. It is ruled by the Al Khalifa royal family. The population in 2010 stood at 1,214,705, including 235,108 non-nationals. Formerly an emirate, Bahrain was declared a kingdom in 2002.Bahrain is...
. PATFORSWA was created in November 2002 as a contingency operation to support the U.S. Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
with patrol boats. The command’s mission is to train, equip, deploy and support maritime forces conducting operations in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) In the Naval Forces Central Command’s area of responsibility.
It was commissioned as a permanent duty station in June 2004. In July 2003 PATFORSWA moved from its own compound to facilities at Naval Support Activity Bahrain
Naval Support Activity Bahrain
Naval Support Activity Bahrain is a United States Navy base, situated in the Kingdom of Bahrain and is home to U.S. Naval Forces Central Command and United States Fifth Fleet. It is the primary base in the region for the naval and marine activities in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and...
.
Patrol boats
There are six Coast Guard 110' Island class patrol boats assigned to PATFORSWA: , , , , , and .Middle East Training Team
The Middle East Training Team (METT) is responsible for providing specialized law enforcement training to all cutters in theater and certifying their Level II Non-Compliant Boarding Teams. They also regularly augment other teams and assets in theater and perform boardings in the Northern Persian GulfPersian Gulf
The Persian Gulf, in Southwest Asia, is an extension of the Indian Ocean located between Iran and the Arabian Peninsula.The Persian Gulf was the focus of the 1980–1988 Iran-Iraq War, in which each side attacked the other's oil tankers...
, train foreign military units throughout the region, and conduct demonstrations for visiting VIP's.
Redeployment Assistance Inspection Detachments
Redeployment Assistance Inspection Detachments (RAID) consist of Coast Guard members deployed with the U.S ArmyUnited States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
to support the shipment of materials in and out of war zones. Their mission is to assist the Department of Defense
United States Department of Defense
The United States Department of Defense is the U.S...
with the safe re-deployment of containerized
Intermodal container
An intermodal container is a standardized reusable steel box used for the safe, efficient and secure storage and movement of materials and products within a global containerized intermodal freight transport system...
cargo as well as the storage and segregation of hazardous materials. The Coast Guard's goal is to ensure that hazardous material is properly prepared for shipment and re-entry to U.S. ports. The team moves from one Forward Operating Base
Forward Operating Base
A forward operating base is any secured forward military position, commonly a military base, that is used to support tactical operations. A FOB may or may not contain an airfield, hospital, or other facilities. The base may be used for an extended period of time. FOBs are traditionally supported...
to another, making them among the few Coast Guardsmen that have been so far forward with the U.S. Army in a combat zone.
While the first RAID was deployed in 2003, they were first brought under the PATFORSWA command structure in 2010.
Shoreside support
Shore-side personnel augment and share responsibility for all cutter maintenance, much like a Maintenance Assistance Team and a SectorUnited States Coast Guard Sectors
A Sector is a shore-based operational unit of the United States Coast Guard. Each Sector is responsible for the execution of all Coast Guard missions within its Area of Responsibility , with operational support from Coast Guard Cutters and Air Stations. Subordinate commands within a Sector...
. In addition, all shore-side personnel provide anti-terrorism force protection (ATFP) support.
See also
- Port Security UnitPort Security UnitUnited States Coast Guard Port Security Units are deployable units organized for sustained force protection operations. They can deploy within 96 hours and establish operations within 24 hours. PSUs conduct OCONUS port security in support of requesting regional Combatant commander. They provide...
- Law Enforcement DetachmentsLaw Enforcement DetachmentsLaw Enforcement Detachments or LEDETs are specialized, deployable maritime law enforcement teams of the United States Coast Guard. First established in 1982, their primary mission is to deploy aboard U.S. and allied naval vessels to conduct and support law enforcement, interdiction, or security...
- Deployable Operations GroupDeployable Operations GroupThe Deployable Operations Group is a United States Coast Guard command that provides properly equipped, trained and organized Deployable Specialized Forces to Coast Guard, DHS, DoD and inter-agency operational and tactical commanders...