MANAMA, Bahrain (June 12, 2017) Capt. Clinton Carlson, right, relieves Capt. John Driscoll as commodore of U.S. Coast Guard Patrol Forces Southwest Asia (PATFORSWA) during a change of command ceremony held aboard Naval Support Activity Bahrain. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Victoria Kinney)
MANAMA, Bahrain – Vice Adm. Karl Schultz, commander of Coast Guard Atlantic Area, presided over the ceremony where U.S. Coast Guard Capt. Clinton Carlson relieved U.S. Coast Guard Capt. John Driscoll as Commodore, Coast Guard Patrol Forces Southwest Asia (PATFORSWA) on June 12, 2017 at Naval Support Activity Bahrain.
Since the establishment of PATFORSWA in 2002, the U.S. Coast Guard’s expertise has been called upon often, especially working in coordination with the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) and counter-smuggling operations. Additionally, PATFORSWA Coast Guardsmen provide regular visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS) subject matter expert exchanges.
As one of the world’s leading maritime drug-interdiction and counter-smuggling agencies, PATFORSWA forces share their knowledge, working with 39 countries and over 1,300 personnel.
PATFORSWA also provides subject matter expert exchanges for small boat operations, search and rescue operations, damage control procedures, and shipboard engineering.
PATFORSWA is the Coast Guard’s largest unit outside the U.S. and operates in maritime security, maritime infrastructure protection and counter-smuggling operations with U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations under U.S. Naval Forces Central Command. PATFORSWA is made of six U.S. Coast Guard cutters, shore side support personnel, an advanced interdiction team, maritime engagement team and other specialized forces operating throughout the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) area of responsibility.
