Commodore, PATFORSWA
Captain John M. McTamney IV
Captain John M. McTamney IV relieved as Commanding Officer, USCG Patrol Forces Southwest Asia (PATFORSWA) and Commodore of CTG 55.1 on June 15, 2023. He is a native of Willingboro, NJ. He graduated from the United States Coast Guard Academy in 2001 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering and holds Masters degrees in Business Administration and National Security and Strategic Studies from Florida Atlantic University and the U.S. Naval War College, respectively.
A career cutterman with over 8 years of sea time, Captain McTamney’s most recent afloat tour from 2017-2019 was as Commanding Officer of USCGC SPENCER (WMEC-905), then homeported in Boston, MA. During that tour, he led the crew through two 90-day Eastern Pacific Joint Interagency Task Force South counter-narcotics patrols, a 90-day District One fisheries enforcement and Search and Rescue patrol, and a District Seven Alien Migrant Interdiction Operations patrol. Additionally, SPENCER participated in the first ever Arctic Coast Guard Forum full-scale Search and Rescue Exercise, ARCTIC GUARDIAN 2017, in Reykjavík, Iceland, and participated with the U.S. Navy during Fleet Week 2019 in Port Everglades, FL. Among other operational accomplishments during Captain McTamney’s tour, SPENCER successfully interdicted a Self-Propelled Semi-Submersible laden with 2.5 tons of cocaine onboard. SPENCER also completed a clean sweep of all warfare areas during Tailored Ship’s Training Availability and earned the highly coveted Overall Operational Readiness Excellence award.
Captain McTamney’s previous afloat units include Deck Watch Officer on CGC MOHAWK, Operations Officer on CGC SENECA, and Executive Officer on CGC TAHOMA.
Captain McTamney’s ashore experience include a tour at Sector Key West as a Search and Rescue controller and CDO, four years at the Coast Guard Academy as a Nautical Science instructor, three years assigned to the Office of Defense Operations in Washington, D.C., and four years as Nautical Science Department Head at CGA.
Captain McTamney's awards include the Meritorious Service Medal (four awards), the Coast Guard Commendation medal (three awards), The Coast Guard Achievement medal, and various other service and unit awards. His wife (Kendra) and three teen-aged children (Jolie, Jorja, and Jameson) reside in Goshen, CT.
Deputy, PATFORSWA
Commander Mario G. Gil
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.
CDR Gil’s afloat assignments include Executive Officer aboard USCGC RESOLUTE (WMEC 620), Commanding Officer aboard both USCGC JOSEPH TEZANOS (WPC 1118) and USCGC CUSHING (WPB 1321). He served as 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 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 James Murray
Master Chief Murray enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves in May 1997 and lateralled to the U.S. Coast Guard in February 1999. His first tour of duty was assigned as a Fireman at CG Station San Francisco, CA. He attended Avionics Technician (AVT) “A” school in March 2000. His assignments include duty as an HH-60J Flight Mechanic at CG Air Station Astoria, and then a student at the Advanced Avionics and Integrated Weapons Systems Maintenance Course-C1 (AAIWSM) at NATTC Pensacola, Fl. A C-37A and C-143A Avionicsman at CG Air Station Washington D.C. A Radioman on the HC-130H in Kodiak, AK followed by a short 10-month tour in Savannah, GA. as the Avionics shop Chief. Additionally, he served as the LCPO for Air Station Houston, TX. In his last assignment, he served as the Unit Command Master Chief for Air Station/Sector Field Office Port Angeles, WA from 2017-2020.
Master Chief Murray is a native of Cabot, AR. He is completing a degree in Electronics Engineering. In 2008, he was selected as the Nation Capital Region’s Enlisted Person of the Year and was also a nominee for the Douglas Munro Inspirational Leadership Award. He graduated from the CPO Academy class 186 in May 2012 and the Senior Enlisted Leadership Course in March 2017. Master Chief Murrays personal awards include: two Coast Guard Commendation Medals with the “O” device, two Coast Guard Achievement Medals, three Commandant Letter of Commendation awards, seven Good Conduct Medals, Command Master Chief Silver Badge Insignia, and the Aircrewman Insignia.