The Coast Guard's Role In Bahrain: Ensuring Peace And Safety

The United States Coast Guard has a strong presence in Bahrain, with the Patrol Forces Southwest Asia (PATFORSWA) being established in 2002 as a permanent duty station to support the U.S. Navy with patrol boats. The command's mission includes training, equipping, deploying, and supporting combat-ready Coast Guard forces that conduct operations in the region. The Coast Guard's role in Bahrain is diverse, with a focus on maintaining a presence in shallow littoral areas, law enforcement, force protection, and escort duty, as well as supporting operations in Iraq and the broader Middle East.

The US Coast Guard's Patrol Forces Southwest Asia (PATFORSWA) is based in Bahrain

The US Coast Guards Patrol Forces Southwest Asia (PATFORSWA) is a United States Coast Guard command based in Manama, Bahrain. It was created in November 2002 as a contingency operation to support the US Navy with patrol boats. The PATFORSWA consists of three elements: six 154-foot Sentinel-class cutters, the Shoreside Support staff, and the Maritime Engagement Team (MET).

The six Sentinel-class cutters, named after notable figures, are homeported in Bahrain and rely on the Shoreside Support team for maintenance, logistics, and more. The Shoreside Support team is made up of a headquarters element and staff dedicated to logistics, supply, maintenance, information, and armory. They aid the cutters in routine maintenance, critical repairs, and facilitating the shipping and receiving of parts.

The Maritime Engagement Team (MET) is responsible for providing specialised law enforcement training to all cutters in the theatre and certifying their Level II Non-Compliant Boarding Teams. The team operates under Title 10 authorities, maintaining standard law enforcement qualifications while also offering additional training specific to the region. The MET also supports shipboard Visit, Board, Search, and Seizure (VBSS) training and subject matter expert exchanges with the US Department of Defense (DoD) and international partners. Their state-of-the-art training centre in the Middle East is instrumental in building maritime enforcement capacity and strengthening international relations.

PATFORSWA's mission is to train, equip, deploy, and support combat-ready Coast Guard forces that conduct operations in support of specific initiatives in the Naval Forces Central Command's area of responsibility. This includes operations such as Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom, and Operation Inherent Resolve. The Coast Guard's expertise in littoral and shallow-water operations, as well as their law enforcement background, makes them a valuable asset to the US Navy in these endeavours.

PATFORSWA supports the US Navy with patrol boats

Patrol Forces Southwest Asia (PATFORSWA) is a United States Coast Guard command based in Manama, Bahrain. It was created in November 2002 as a contingency operation to support the US Navy with patrol boats. The command's 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), and Operation Inherent Resolve (OIR) in the Naval Forces Central Command's area of responsibility.

PATFORSWA consists of three elements: six 154-foot Sentinel-class cutters, Shoreside Support, and the Maritime Engagement Team (MET). The six Sentinel-class cutters, including the CGC Charles Moulthrope and CGC Robert Goldman, are homeported in Bahrain and rely on Shoreside Support for maintenance, logistics, and more. The Shoreside Support team provides a range of services, including headquarters, logistics, supply, maintenance, repair, and information/electronics.

The Maritime Engagement Team (MET) is a crucial component of PATFORSWA's ability to support the US Navy. The MET is responsible for providing specialized law enforcement training to all cutters in the theatre and certifying their Level II Non-Compliant Boarding Teams. They operate under Title 10 authorities, maintaining standard law enforcement qualifications while also receiving additional training specific to the region. The team supports shipboard Visit, Board, Search, and Seizure (VBSS) training at their advanced training centre and conducts subject matter expert exchanges with US Department of Defense (DoD) and international partners.

The capabilities and expertise that PATFORSWA brings to the US Navy are significant. The patrol boats can navigate shallow littoral areas where larger naval vessels cannot, staying on station for days rather than just a few hours. The law enforcement background of Coast Guard personnel expands the Navy's ability to intercept and board vessels, and they can also provide force protection and escort duty. This frees up naval assets for offensive combat operations and allows for a more comprehensive and flexible military strategy.

The unique capabilities of PATFORSWA's patrol boats and personnel have been leveraged in multiple operations, including OIF, OEF, and OIR. They have also supported national security missions and participated in high-impact operations, including tense boardings of commercial vessels and interactions with the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy. The cutters have also conducted extensive interdiction operations, seizing illicit cargos such as drugs and weapons that contribute to violence and instability in the region.

It trains, equips, deploys and supports combat-ready Coast Guard forces

The United States Coast Guard command based in Manama, Bahrain, is called Patrol Forces Southwest Asia (PATFORSWA). It was established in November 2002 as a temporary operation to support the US Navy with patrol boats. PATFORSWA's mission includes training, equipping, deploying, and supporting combat-ready Coast Guard forces for operations in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF), Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF), and Operation Inherent Resolve (OIR) in the Naval Forces Central Command's area of responsibility.

Training:

PATFORSWA provides specialised law enforcement training to its cutters and certifies their Level II Non-Compliant Boarding Teams. They also offer shipboard Visit, Board, Search, and Seizure (VBSS) training at their advanced training centre. This training ensures that Coast Guard personnel are prepared for a range of scenarios, from law enforcement to combat situations.

Equipping:

PATFORSWA consists of six 154-foot Sentinel-class cutters, Shoreside Support, and the Maritime Engagement Team (MET). The Shoreside Support provides maintenance, logistics, and other services to the cutters, ensuring they are well-equipped for their missions. The MET is responsible for law enforcement training and subject matter expert exchanges with regional partners, enhancing the Coast Guard's capabilities and international relations.

Deploying:

The Coast Guard's patrol boats are deployed to expand the naval presence in shallow littoral areas and conduct force protection and escort duties. They can remain on station for extended periods, providing a persistent presence in the region. The cutters have also been utilised in the Northern Arabian Sea and the Persian Gulf, contributing to counter-smuggling operations and intercepting shipments of narcotics and explosive precursors.

Supporting:

The Shoreside Support staff plays a crucial role in maintaining the cutters and facilitating the movement of personnel. They consist of a headquarters element, logistics/supply, maintenance/repair, information/electronics, and armory staff. The diverse requirements of PATFORSWA make it unique within the Coast Guard, as it fulfils elements of a CG Sector, a CG Base, and other CG staff elements.

The Maritime Engagement Team (MET) provides law enforcement training and certifies boarding teams

The Maritime Engagement Team (MET) is a crucial element of the United States Coast Guard's Patrol Forces Southwest Asia (PATFORSWA) command based in Bahrain. The primary role of the MET is to provide specialised law enforcement training to all cutters in the theatre and certify their Level II Non-Compliant Boarding Teams.

The team operates under Title 10 authorities, which means its personnel maintain standard law enforcement qualifications with additional training tailored to the region. This training ensures that they are well-equipped to handle the specific challenges and situations they may encounter in Bahrain and the surrounding waters.

The MET is responsible for conducting shipboard Visit, Board, Search, and Seizure (VBSS) training at its state-of-the-art training centre. This training prepares Coast Guard personnel for real-world scenarios, including boarding and searching vessels, enforcing the law, and ensuring maritime security. The team's expertise is not limited to training, as they also actively participate in broader exercises with regional partners, strengthening international relations and sharing knowledge.

One of the key aspects of the MET's mission is to build maritime enforcement capacity. They achieve this by conducting subject matter expert exchanges with partners from the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) and international organisations. These exchanges foster collaboration, enhance mutual understanding, and ensure that the Coast Guard stays at the forefront of maritime law enforcement practices.

The VBSS training centre, operated by the MET, is the primary hub for preparing Coast Guard personnel for their duties. The centre provides a comprehensive curriculum that covers various scenarios and situations that may arise during boarding operations. By simulating real-world conditions, the training equips the boarding teams with the necessary skills to handle non-compliant vessels and enforce the law effectively.

The Coast Guard's role includes countering malign actors, protecting free commerce and building partnerships

The United States Coast Guard has played a crucial role in Bahrain since the establishment of Patrol Forces Southwest Asia (PATFORSWA) in 2002. Based in Manama, PATFORSWA was initially created as a contingency operation to support the US Navy with patrol boats. Over the years, its mission has evolved to include countering malign actors, protecting free commerce, and building partnerships in the region.

Countering malign actors

The Coast Guard's presence in Bahrain has been instrumental in countering malign actors and ensuring the safety and security of maritime navigation in the Persian Gulf. Their advanced interdiction teams, working alongside the US Navy, have successfully intercepted and seized illegal weapons, drugs, and other contraband. These efforts have disrupted illicit activities and contributed to regional stability.

Protecting free commerce

PATFORSWA has been instrumental in protecting free commerce and ensuring the safe transit of goods in the Persian Gulf. Their patrols in the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial chokepoint for global oil supplies, have provided much-needed security to commercial vessels transiting the region. By escorting ships through these waters, the Coast Guard has helped deter potential threats and ensure the uninterrupted flow of commerce.

Building partnerships

The Coast Guard's Maritime Engagement Team (MET) plays a pivotal role in building partnerships and strengthening international relations. They provide specialised law enforcement training to regional partners, including Visit, Board, Search, and Seizure (VBSS) exercises. These exchanges not only enhance the capabilities of partner nations but also foster collaboration and mutual understanding. Additionally, the Coast Guard's participation in international exercises and bilateral engagements contributes to building strong maritime partnerships in the region.

The Coast Guard's unique capabilities, expertise in littoral and shallow-water operations, and law enforcement background make them well-suited for these diverse roles in Bahrain. Their contributions have been instrumental in maintaining regional security, protecting critical infrastructure, and fostering cooperation among partner nations. By countering malign actors, protecting free commerce, and building partnerships, the Coast Guard continues to play a vital role in ensuring stability and prosperity in the region.

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