PATROL FORCES SOUTHWEST ASIA
(PATFORSWA)
manama, bahrain———————————————————————

Patrol Forces Southwest Asia (PATFORSWA) is a Coast Guard command based in Manama, Bahrain. Created in November 2002 as a contingency operation to support the U.S. Navy with patrol boats, its mission is to train, equip, deploy, and support combat-ready Coast Guard forces conducting operations in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF), Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF), Operation Inherent Resolve (OIR) in the Naval Forces Central Command's area of responsibility. In July 2003, PATFORSWA moved to Naval Support Activity Bahrain and commissioned as a permanent duty station in June 2004.

PATFORSWA comprises three individual components: six 154’ Sentinel-class cutters (Fast Response Cutters - FRC), Shoreside Support, and the Maritime Engagement Team. There were originally six 110’ Island-class cutters assigned to PATFORSWA. In 2021, the Coast Guard began decommissioning these aging patrol boats and replacing them with the FRCs. The first two, CHARLES MOULTHROPE and ROBERT GOLDMAN, arrived in Bahrain on 25 May 2021 and replaced the ADAK and AQUIDNECK, which were decommissioned on 15 June 2021. Arriving in early March 2022, GLEN HARRIS and EMLEN TUNNELL replaced the MAUI, MONOMOY, and WRANGELL, which were decommissioned on 22 March 2022. The final two FRCs, JOHN SCHEUERMAN and CLARENCE SUTPHIN JR, arrived in Bahrain on 23 August 2022.
The last 110’ Island-class cutter in theater, BARANOF, was decommissioned on 26 September 2022.

Shoreside Support provides all logistics, supply, repair, maintenance, electronics, and armory staff to the 154’ Sentinal-class cutters. There are approximately 14 officers and 125 enlisted and 14 officers assigned to Shoreside Support and function similarily to a Coast Guard Sector and Base.

The Maritime Engagement Team (MET) is responsible for providing specialized law enforcement training to all of the 154’ Island-class cutters and certifying their Level II Non-Compliant Boarding Teams. The MET also supports shipboard Visit, Board, Search, and Seizure (VBSS) training and conducts subject matter expert interactions with Department of Defense and international partners.

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PATFORSWA
Commodore
(2-1/4” W x 2-3/8” H)

PATFORSWA
Presented by the Commodore
”Be Semper Paratus”

PATFORSWA
Task Group 55.1.1
From the Commodore

Cutter Relief Crew
1318 * 1141 * 1142 * 1144 * 1145
(2-1/4” diameter)

WPB Relief Crew
(2-1/4” diameter)

7TH CREW
USCGC ROBERT GOLDMAN, USCGC CLARENCE SUTPHIN JR, USCGC JOHN SCHEUERMAN,
USCGC EMLEN TUNNELL, USCGC CHARLES MOULTHROPE, USCGC GLEN HARRIS
(7-pc Puzzle Coin - 10” L x 4-1/4” H)

USCGC AQUIDNECK (WPB-1309)

USCGC BARANOF (WPB-1318)
Commanding Officer

USCGC BARANOF (WPB-1318)
(2” diameter; 1/4” thick)

USCGC BARANOF (WPB-1318)

USCGC MONOMOY (WPB-1326)

USCGC MONOMOY (WPB-1326)

USCGC ADAK (WPB-1333)

USCGC CHARLES MOULTHROPE (WPC-1141)
(3” H x 3” W)

USCGC JOHN SCHEUERMAN (WPC-1146)
(3” W x 2-1/2” H)

USCGC CLARENCE SUTPHIN JR (WPC-1147)
LT David Anderson
Plank Owner
(3” H x 2-1/2” W)

REDEPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE
&
INSPECTION DETACHMENT
(RAID)

The Coast Guard Redeployment Assistance & Inspection Detachment (RAID) was a specialized team deployed to Afghanistan and Kuwait between 2003–2015. Their mission was to inspect military shipping containers, ensuring they were seaworthy, safely packed and free of hazardous materials for return to the United States. These teams acted as the "Tip of the Spear" in landlocked combat zones, streamlining the retrograde process and ensuring equipment was properly documented for customs. 

Beginning is 2010, the RAID fell under the administrative control of Coast Guard Patrol Forces Southwest Asia (PATFORSWA). Its command element resided at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, and co-located with the headquarters of the Army’s 595th Transportation Brigade, Military Surface Deployment and Distribution Command (SDDC). The RAID supported SDDC and was operationally controlled under its purview.

During their time, RAID teams were the most forward-deployed Coast Guard units, often working in areas far from the sea. Their work helped to protect valuable equipment and ensured a smoother transition for units returning from combat. More than 200 Coast Guard personnel deployed with these RAID teams, which significantly improved the safety and efficiency of moving equipment out of the combat theater. The RAID was demobilized in May 2015.