Us Marines In Bahrain: A Permanent Presence?

The US military has a notable presence in Bahrain, with the Naval Support Activity Bahrain (NSA Bahrain) serving as a United States Navy base. NSA Bahrain is home to the US Naval Forces Central Command and the Fifth Fleet. The base has a long history, dating back to the British Royal Navy's presence in the region during World War II. The US Navy established a posting in Bahrain post-WWII, providing logistical and communications support to Marine Expeditionary vessels. While there is no explicit mention of US Marines being stationed in Bahrain, the presence of Marine Expeditionary vessels and the recent identification of a Marine sergeant who died in Bahrain suggest that US Marines may be operating in the country.

US Marine presence in Bahrain

The US Navy has maintained a presence in Bahrain since World War II. The Naval Support Activity Bahrain (NSA Bahrain) is a United States Navy base, situated in the Kingdom of Bahrain. It is home to the US Naval Forces Central Command and the United States Fifth Fleet. NSA Bahrain is a co-base, run by the US under the authority and laws of Bahrain.

The base was originally a British Royal Navy base known as HMS Jufair. In 1941, the US entered World War II, and the Royal Navy allowed the US Navy to deploy a small detachment to the site. After the war, in 1948, the posting became the US Middle East Force, providing logistical and communications support to Marine Expeditionary vessels. In 1971, when Bahrain gained independence, the permanent Royal Navy presence ended, and the US Navy took on the entire site.

NSA Bahrain provides support to both US Armed Forces and coalition assets through logistics, supply, and protection. It is the primary base in the region for naval and marine activities in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) and, formerly, Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF). The base is also used to support Operation New Dawn (OND) until the end of the Iraq War. NSA Bahrain is home to approximately 8,500 military personnel and DoD civilian employees, as well as Joint and Coalition Forces.

In 2003, facilities at NSA Bahrain began expanding with the start of Operation Iraqi Freedom. A few years later, in 2006, a large food court and an expanded Navy Exchange were opened, improving morale and welfare support for service members and tenant commands. The base continued to expand, and in 2010, a five-year, $580-million project was started to double the size of the facility. The expansion included new utility buildings, a harbor patrol facility, a small-craft basin, new barracks, a dining facility, and a renovated recreation center.

Marine Corps identifies Sergeant Trevor Goldyn who died in Bahrain

The Marine Corps has identified Sergeant Trevor Goldyn, who died in Bahrain, as a communications Marine assigned to the 5th Marine Expeditionary Brigade. Sgt. Goldyn was found dead in a "non-combat related incident," according to a service press release. The incident remains under investigation, with both the Marines and the Naval Criminal Investigative Service looking into the circumstances of his death.

Sgt. Goldyn joined the Marine Corps in June 2016 and was awarded the Good Conduct Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal. He was also posthumously awarded the National Defense Service Medal. Described by friends as a "model Marine," Sgt. Goldyn was remembered for his hard work, respect, drive, and focus.

At the time of his death, Sgt. Goldyn was serving with the Naval Amphibious Force, Task Force 51/5th MEB in Bahrain. The Manama-based unit is responsible for coordinating crisis and contingency response, security cooperation, and command and control of forces within the U.S. Central Command's area of responsibility. The unit operates within the U.S. Navy base, NSA Bahrain, which provides logistical, supply, and protection support to U.S. Naval Forces Central Command and the Fifth Fleet.

The Defense Department coordinated the return of Sgt. Goldyn's remains to the U.S., and the Marine Corps offered its continued support to his family during this difficult time.

US Navy base in Bahrain

The US Navy base in Bahrain is known as Naval Support Activity Bahrain (NSA Bahrain). It is situated in the Kingdom of Bahrain and is home to the U.S. Naval Forces Central Command and the United States Fifth Fleet. NSA Bahrain occupies the original territory of the British Royal Navy base, HMS Jufair, which was established during World War II. The site was transferred to the U.S. government in 1971 when Bahrain gained its independence from the British Empire.

NSA Bahrain provides operational support to U.S. and Coalition Forces in the CENTCOM area of responsibility. The base is home to approximately 8,500 military personnel and DoD civilian employees, as well as 78 Tenant Commands, Joint and Coalition Forces. The base includes a Navy Exchange facility and offers Morale, Welfare, and Recreation programs to support both U.S. Armed Forces and coalition assets.

In 2003, the facilities at NSA Bahrain began expanding after Operation Iraqi Freedom commenced. This was followed by further expansions in 2006, including the addition of the "Freedom Souq" food court and an expanded Navy Exchange. In 2010, the Navy embarked on a five-year, $580-million project to double the size of the base. The expansion included new utility buildings, a harbor patrol facility, new barracks, a dining facility, and a renovated recreation center.

NSA Bahrain has received recognition for its excellence, including the DOD Installation Excellence Award in 2021. The base plays a crucial role in supporting forward operations and responsiveness for U.S. and allied forces in the region.

British Royal Navy base in Bahrain

The United Kingdom Naval Support Facility is a Royal Navy base in Bahrain, established on 13 April 1935, as part of the port at Mina Salman. The base was originally opened as HMS Jufair, a permanent Royal Navy base within the state, following an agreement between the British and the rulers of Bahrain, Salman and Abdullah Al Khalifa, to limit piracy in the area.

In 1941, following the United States' entry into World War II, the Royal Navy invited the US Navy to deploy a small detachment at HMS Jufair. After the war, in 1948, the posting was recognised as the U.S. Middle East Force, a small shore facility that provided logistical and communications support to Marine Expeditionary vessels. In 1950, the United States Navy leased space in HMS Jufair, and following Bahraini independence in 1971, took over the base. The site was renamed Administrative Support Unit (ASU) Bahrain in 1979 and, in 1992, the title was modified to Administrative Support Unit Southwest Asia to reflect its regional role.

On 6 December 2014, it was announced that HMS Juffair would be re-established as a permanent Royal Navy base. The new base, officially named the United Kingdom Naval Support Facility, was opened on 5 April 2018 by the Crown Prince of Bahrain, Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, and the Duke of York, Prince Andrew, representing the United Kingdom. The base can accommodate up to 500 Royal Navy personnel and is equipped with two gyms, a cinema room, and games rooms. It houses the British Forces Broadcasting Service Middle East radio station.

The base plays a central role in the Royal Navy's ability to operate in the region and reaffirms the UK's determination to work with Bahrain to maintain security and stability in the Gulf. It provides the UK with an enhanced and permanent presence in the region, allowing for longer-term deployments. The Mina Salman Port facilities have been improved to provide the Royal Navy with a forward-operating base, equipment storage, and accommodation for personnel. The base is expected to be able to host the Queen Elizabeth-class and Type 45 destroyers, as well as frigates and mine-hunters.

US Marine video calls from Bahrain

US Marines are stationed in Bahrain as part of the Navy's 5th Fleet, which is based in the capital, Manama. The 5th Fleet is hosted by the Naval Support Activity Bahrain (NSA Bahrain), a US Navy base situated in the Kingdom of Bahrain. NSA Bahrain provides support to the US Armed Forces and coalition assets through logistics, supply, and protection.

Marines in Bahrain have access to video calls and other forms of communication. However, due to security concerns and the presence of Iran-backed Shia militias in the country, US personnel in Bahrain are advised to remain ""highly security conscious."

In 2020, Iran-backed militias in Bahrain declared American interests and personnel in the country "legitimate targets" in retaliation for a US drone strike that killed an Iranian commander. While Bahrain's security forces have been effective in managing and containing these groups, the risk of random attacks on off-duty US personnel remains. As a result, US Marines in Bahrain must maintain a high level of vigilance and security awareness.

US Marines stationed in Bahrain play a crucial role in supporting naval and marine activities in the region, particularly during the Iraq War and Operation Enduring Freedom. They operate in a complex and dynamic security environment, requiring constant awareness of potential threats. Video calls and other means of communication allow them to stay connected with their loved ones back home despite the challenges and risks of their deployment.

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