53 Fall 2024 Proceedings amount of operational hours per fiscal year — it is certainly a high op-tempo and challenging for crews. This op-tempo also makes it challenging to ensure req- uisite maintenance, training, and other requirements are accomplished. Through the dedicated teamwork of FRC and shoreside personnel the PATFORSWA team gets the job done—often after hours—repairing equip- ment casualties, accomplishing planned maintenance, and conducting training to ensure the squadron’s readi- ness. Without a doubt, the value of our contributions to operations in theater is significant and worthwhile, and this drives our team to fight on. Moreover, our opera- tions at PATFORSWA truly demonstrates that the U.S. Coast Guard is interoperable with the Joint Force, and capable of providing exceptional and unique value in defense readiness, one of our 11 congressionally man- dated missions. As a junior officer, I never considered coming to PATFORSWA for a tour, but I wish I had now. Although the assignment comes with sacrifices and challenges, it is an extremely valuable year, filled with cultural experi- ences, an expanded worldview and context that will pay lifelong dividends, outstanding camaraderie, financial and career benefits, and a chance to contribute to a criti- cal mission. Moreover, serving over here truly brings an appreciation for the outstanding capabilities, proficiency, and professionalism of the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps, our maritime sister services, as they engage across the full spectrum of warfare operations including frequent kinetic engagements with the Houthis. Without a doubt, I highly recommend all Coasties consider coming out here for a tour. It is not uncommon for folks to extend at PATFORSWA, or to complete mul- tiple tours. It is truly a valuable experience, and one that cannot be replicated at any other Coast Guard unit. It has been the honor of my career to work alongside the hundreds of exceptional Coasties over here for the past year, and I know that what they take away from this tour will pay dividends throughout their careers in the Coast Guard and beyond. The Bahrain Bay Wharf is a prominent waterfront development, located in Manama. This area is part of a larger urban development project aimed at creating a modern, mixeduse district. The wharf itself is a key component of this development, featuring a marina that accommodates yachts and boats, retail spaces, dining options, and leisure facilities. Photo courtesy of John McTamney About the author: CAPT John McTamney served as commander of U.S. Coast Guard Patrol Forces Southwest Asia and commodore of U.S. Naval Forces Cen- tral Command Task Group 55.1 from June 2023 through June 2024. He is a career cutterman, with over eight years of time at sea. He is currently assigned to the U.S. Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island, as the Coast Guard senior service advisor and a military professor in the joint military operations department. To learn more about U.S. Coast Guard PATFORSWA’s history and missions, please visit these websites: • https://bit.ly/20yearsOIF • https://bit.ly/WikiPATFORSWA • https://bit.ly/PATFORSWA_Video For more information
