COMMAND
Commodore, PATFORSWA
CAPT James “Joe” Camp
Captain Camp currently serves as Commander, USCG Patrol Forces Southwest Asia (PATFORSWA) and Commodore of CTG 55.1. As Commodore, he commands the Coast Guard’s largest unit outside the United States. Based in Manama, in the Kingdom of Bahrain, PATFORSWA is comprised of six Coast Guard Fast Response Cutters, a shore-side support element, and a Maritime Engagement Team totaling over 300 personnel. PATFORSWA provides combat ready assets in support of U.S. Navy FIFTH Fleet and Naval Central Forces Command strategic objectives.
Captain Camp’s primary experience is in the Coast Guard’s Deployable Specialized Forces. He previously served as Executive Officer of Maritime Security Response Team West. In this role, he oversaw over 260 Coast Guard personnel responsible for providing dedicated maritime counterterrorism and advanced interdiction law enforcement capabilities throughout the U.S. and Indo-Pacific, as well as the Coast Guard's worldwide dive operations from three Regional Dive Lockers.
Other previous assignments include Chair-Consolidated Counterdrug Database while assigned to The Interdiction Committee, Washington DC; Commanding Officer of Maritime Safety and Security Team Houston (91104), TX; Maritime Security Response Team and Tactical Law Enforcement Team Force Manager at Atlantic Area, Portsmouth VA; Executive Officer of Maritime Safety and Security Team Seattle (91101), WA; Force Branch Chief, Maritime Law Enforcement Academy, Charleston, SC; Executive Officer of Seventh District Tactical Law Enforcement Team, Opa Locka, FL; and Homeland Security Officer, Group Seattle, WA. Additionally, as a Gunner’s Mate he served aboard the CGC MIDGETT, Seattle, WA and as a U. S. Marine, he was assigned to the 9th Engineer Support Battalion, Camp Hansen, Okinawa and Marine Wing Support Squadron 274 at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, NC.
Captain Camp is a 1989 graduate of U. S. Marine Corps Recruit Training at Parris Island, SC, a 1999 graduate of U.S. Coast Guard Basic Training in Cape May, New Jersey, and a 2002 graduate of U.S. Coast Guard Officer Candidate School in New London, Connecticut. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Cultural Anthropology from East Carolina University.
Captain Camp’s military awards include three Meritorious Service Medals, three Coast Guard Commendation Medals, two Coast Guard Achievement Medals, the Commandant’s Letter of Commendation, and other unit, team, and service awards. He is authorized to wear the Advanced Boat Forces Insignia and Commandant’s Staff Identification Badge.
Captain Camp has one daughter, Emma, a graduate of West Virginia University.
Deputy, PATFORSWA
Commander Mario G. Gil
CDR Gil currently serves as Deputy Commander, USCG Patrol Forces Southwest Asia (PATFORSWA), and Deputy Commodore, CTG 55.1. He is second in command of the U.S. Coast Guard’s largest overseas unit compromised of six Fast Response Cutters, a shore-side support element, and a Maritime Engagement Team. PATFORSWA provides combat ready assets in support of U.S. Navy FIFTH Fleet and Naval Central Command.
CDR Gil’s afloat assignments include Commanding Officer aboard both USCGC JOSEPH TEZANOS (WPC 1118), and USCGC CUSHING (WPB 1321). He served as Executive Officer aboard USCGC RESOLUTE (WMEC 620), Operations Officer aboard USCGC DECISIVE (WMEC 629), and First Lieutenant and Supply Officer aboard USCGC RESOLUTE (WMEC 620). His enlisted afloat assignments include USCGC TAHOMA (WMEC 908), and USCGC VENTUROUS (WMEC 625).
CDR Gil’s ashore assignments include Coast Guard Liaison Officer and Senior Military Representative in the U.S. Embassy in Havana, Cuba. Patrol Boat Manager, Living Marine Resource Officer, and Enforcement Duty Officer at the Seventh Coast Guard District (D7) Office of Response Enforcement. CDR Gil was also assigned as the Search and Rescue Duty Officer, and National Aeronautical and Space Administration (NASA) Liaison Officer at the D7 Command Center as well as a Contracting Officer at Integrated Support Command Miami.
CDR Gil enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard in April 1997. He attended Officer Candidate School and received his commission as an officer in February 2007. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management from Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, Florida and a Master’s of Arts degree in Defense and Strategic Studies degree from the U.S. Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island. He holds a U.S. Coast Guard 200 Gross-Ton Captain’s License.
CDR Gil’s military awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, six Coast Guard Commendation Medals, five Coast Guard Achievement Medals, two Commandant’s Letter of Commendation ribbons, and various other personal and unit awards.
Command Master Chief, PATFORSWA
Command Master Chief Anthony M. Martinez
Master Chief Anthony M. Martinez assumed the duties as Command Master Chief for Patrol Forces Southwest Asia on 17 June 2024. His primary responsibility is to advise and support the Commodore on all issues and initiatives pertaining to the Coast Guard’s most forwardly deployed unit comprised of six 154’ Fast Response cutters, shore side support personnel, and the Maritime Engagement Team (MET). Most recently, Master Chief Martinez served as Command Master Chief of Sector Southeastern New England in Woods Hole, MA.
A Brooklyn, NY native, Master Chief Martinez enlisted in the Coast Guard on 7 Sep 1999. His previous assignments include Officer In Charge of Coast Guard Cutter SHEARWATER (WPB-87349) in Cape May, NJ, Officer In Charge of Station Eatons Neck in Northport, NY, and a Deployable Specialized Forces position as Tactical Delivery Team Chief at Special Missions Training Detachment East and Maritime Security Response Team East in Chesapeake, VA. His afloat assignments include First Lieutenant and Operations Petty Officer on board Coast Guard Cutter SEA HORSE (WPB-87361) in Portsmouth, VA and Deck and Operations Leading Petty Officer on board Coast Guard Cutter WILLOW (WLB-202) in Newport, RI. His Boat Forces assignments include Training Petty Officer at Station Indian River Inlet in Rehoboth Beach, DE, Station Eastport, ME, and Station Gloucester, MA.
Master Chief Martinez is a proud graduate of Coast Guard Chief Petty Officers Academy Class 205 and the Coast Guard Senior Enlisted Leadership Course Class 62. He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business, Management, and Economics with a concentration in Studies in Management from SUNY Empire State University.
Master Chief Martinez’s personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, three Coast Guard Commendation Medals, two Coast Guard Achievement Medals, two Commandant’s Letter of Commendation Ribbon Bars, all with Operational Distinguishing Devices, the Command Afloat and Ashore Devices, and the permanent Cutterman, Coxswain, and Advanced Boat Forces Insignias.
Master Chief Martinez is married to the former Lisa Traina of Bayonne, NJ since 2014. They are proud parents of Noel, Selena, Anthony III, and Deziree.