U.S. Navy and Coast Guard in Persian Gulf

The U.S. Navy and Coast Guard are cooperating on maritime security patrols in the Persian Gulf. The maritime security operations (MSO) patrols are designed to protect Iraqi oil terminals and other sea-based infrastructure and maintain general maritime security in the northern Persian Gulf. The patrols involve the U.S. Navy’s 170-foot Cyclone-class Coastal Patrol ships and the USCG’s 110-foot Island-class patrol boats. These smaller vessels can reach their destinations faster and navigate in and out of shallower waters than larger Navy ships. 

The craft typically remain forward deployed for long periods of time in the Persian Gulf, while their crews are swapped out every six months. The crew swap initiative increases the Navy's forward presence by providing an extra 90 days of on-station time per vessel – time the patrol boats can use to maximize protection of the Iraqi oil terminals in the Northern Persian Gulf.