Patrol Forces Southwest Asia

PATFORSWA

The mission of PATFORSWA is to equip, deploy, and support mission-ready Coast Guard forces to conduct maritime operations across the Middle East for U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM).

Initially deployed in 2003 in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM, PATFORSWA is now a permanent presence based out of the Kingdom of Bahrain, providing capable littoral assets for maritime interdiction, theater security cooperation, and maritime domain awareness operations.

In the midst of a fleet transition from WPBs to FRCs, the PATFORSWA squadron currently consists of four 154’ Sentinel Class Fast Response Cutters, one 110’ Island Class Patrol Boat, a cutter relief crew, and a 150-member mission support detachment in Bahrain. 

PATFORSWA also has a Maritime Engagement Team (MET) that conducts Visit, Board, Search, and Seizure (VBSS) expertise exchanges, and engagement activities with  U.S. and partner nation maritime forces.