Coast Guard Boatswain’s Mate 1st Class Shawn Wells, left, observes as Coast Guard Seamen Diana Marquez, right, and Russell Smith, all assigned to Patrol Forces Southwest Asia (PATFORSWA), conduct a buddy swim exercise during water survival training on board Naval Support Activity Bahrain, Sept. 14.

PATFORSWA is comprised of the Maritime Engagement Team, shoreside support personnel and six 110′ cutters and is the Coast Guard’s largest unit outside of the U.S., playing a key role in supporting the Navy’s maritime security and maritime infrastructure protection operations in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Dawson Roth)