Bahrain's Safety For The Us Navy: A Comprehensive Overview

Bahrain is a tiny island nation that is home to the US Fifth Fleet and over 6,000 US military personnel and contractors. The Naval Support Activity Bahrain base is a key US military hub in the Middle East and is particularly important for the US Navy, providing a rest stop and logistics support for ships in the Persian Gulf. But how safe is Bahrain for the US Navy?

Naval Support Activity Bahrain is a US-run base under Bahraini authority

Naval Support Activity Bahrain (NSA Bahrain) is a United States Navy base situated in the Kingdom of Bahrain. The base falls under Bahraini authority, and the US Navy has run it since 1971. NSA Bahrain is home to the US Naval Forces Central Command and the United States Fifth Fleet. The base provides logistical, supply, and protection support to the United States Armed Forces and coalition assets.

The history of the US Navy's presence in Bahrain dates back to World War II when the British Royal Navy invited the US Navy to deploy a small detachment to the region. Post-war, in 1948, the US Navy established the US Middle East Force, a small shore facility providing logistical and communications support to Marine Expeditionary vessels.

In 1971, Bahrain gained independence from the British Empire, marking the official end of the permanent Royal Navy presence in the country. With the Emir's agreement, the USN took over the entire 10-acre site, previously known as HMS Jufair, which had been a British Royal Navy base since the 1930s.

The base was renamed Administrative Support Unit (ASU) Bahrain, and in 1992, it became the Administrative Support Unit Southwest Asia to reflect the growing role of US Navy activities in the region. In 1997, the facilities in Juffair underwent expansion under the Military Construction Program, leading to the establishment of what is now known as Naval Support Activity Bahrain.

NSA Bahrain has continued to expand and enhance its facilities over the years, including the addition of the "Freedom Souq" food court and an expanded Navy Exchange in 2006. In 2010, the Navy embarked on a significant five-year, $580-million expansion project, aiming to double the size of the base. The base's efforts to maintain excellence were recognised in 2021 when it received the DOD Installation Excellence Award.

The US Fifth Fleet uses Bahrain as a logistics hub

The US Navy has a strong presence in Bahrain, with about 4,500 to 6,000 military and civilian personnel working at the port and base in Juffair, located just five miles southeast of the capital, Manama. Bahrain's strategic location in the Persian Gulf, just off the coast of Saudi Arabia, makes it an ideal rest stop for US Navy ships operating in the region. The country has provided essential basing facilities and support for US naval operations, including the Persian Gulf War in 1990 and the Iraq War in 2003.

The Fifth Fleet includes aircraft carriers, destroyers, and other ships that rotationally deploy from the US, as well as a few smaller ships based in the Gulf for extended periods. The fleet's commander shares headquarters with the U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT) in Bahrain, ensuring efficient coordination and command of naval forces in the region. Bahrain's facilities enable the resupply of US warships, providing fuel, water, and other provisions.

The relationship between the US and Bahrain extends beyond the use of the island as a logistics hub. Bahrain receives security guarantees from the US and, in return, the Bahraini Defence Force benefits from training and the acquisition of high-quality American weapons. American military sales to Bahrain have totalled nearly $1.5 billion in the past decade, including attack helicopters, F-16 warplanes, missile launchers, howitzers, and Abrams tanks.

The US Fifth Fleet's presence in Bahrain facilitates its operations in the region, allowing it to address challenges such as the growing naval threat from Iran and piracy in Somalia. Bahrain's proximity to Iran also enables the US to monitor the country and ensure the vital sea lanes of the Persian Gulf remain open and secure.

Bahrain is a key US military partner in the Middle East

Bahrain hosts the US Navy's Fifth Fleet, which enables the US to lead the 34-nation Combined Maritime Forces coalition to counter piracy and terrorism and the multinational International Maritime Security Construct to support freedom of navigation and the unrestricted flow of commerce and energy resources through the Strait of Hormuz. The US military's presence in Bahrain dates back to World War II and has been crucial for keeping vital commercial shipping lanes safe, deterring threats, and enabling broader coalitions to operate.

The US has provided Bahrain with military equipment, such as F-16 aircraft, attack helicopters, missile defense systems, and more, through the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) system. Bahrain was also designated a Major Non-NATO Ally in 2002, which provides benefits such as potential participation in cooperative research and development and priority delivery for excess defense articles. The US has also provided Bahrain with military financing and grant assistance to supply the country with the equipment and training it needs to defend itself and operate effectively alongside US air and naval forces.

In addition to military cooperation, the US and Bahrain have a strong economic partnership. They have a Free Trade Agreement, and bilateral trade has more than tripled since 2006, reaching nearly $3 billion in 2022. Bahrain inaugurated a US Trade Zone to develop new products and reach new markets, and US companies have been exploring strategic investment opportunities in areas such as global supply chain resilience and critical infrastructure. The two countries have also set a target for launching direct flights between the US and Bahrain by summer 2024.

The US and Bahrain also collaborate on governance and human rights issues through the US-Bahrain Strategic Dialogue. This dialogue enables constructive engagement on topics such as universal values, human rights, and fundamental freedoms.

The US Navy has used the base for operations in the Persian Gulf

The US Navy has a long history in Bahrain, dating back to World War II when a small detachment was deployed there. Today, the US Navy's presence in Bahrain is centred around the Naval Support Activity Bahrain (NSA Bahrain) base, which provides logistical, supply, and protective support to the US Naval Forces Central Command and the Fifth Fleet. NSA Bahrain has played a crucial role in several military operations in the region, including Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom, which was later renamed Operation New Dawn.

NSA Bahrain occupies the former site of the British Royal Navy base, HMS Jufair, which was established in the early 20th century to combat piracy and protect British shipping interests in the Persian Gulf. During World War II, the Italian Air Force bombed the base as part of the Axis Forces' attempt to cut off Allied access to oil in the region. This led to the deployment of US Navy personnel to the site. After the war, in 1948, the US established the Middle East Force, a small shore facility providing logistical and communications support to Marine Expeditionary vessels.

In 1971, Bahrain gained independence from the British Empire, and the US Navy took over the entire 10-acre site, establishing the Administrative Support Unit (ASU) Bahrain. The base underwent significant expansion in 1997 under the Military Construction Program, evolving into what is now known as NSA Bahrain. Further expansion occurred in 2003, following the start of Operation Iraqi Freedom, and again in 2010, with a $580-million project to double the size of the facility.

NSA Bahrain serves as a critical hub for US naval and marine activities in the Persian Gulf. It provides a range of facilities and services, including a harbour patrol facility, a small-craft basin, barracks, dining and recreation centres, and administrative buildings. The base also boasts a Navy Exchange facility and Morale, Welfare, and Recreation programs for US Armed Forces and coalition assets. With its strategic location and robust capabilities, NSA Bahrain continues to play a vital role in supporting US military operations and maintaining a strong US presence in the region.

Bahrain benefits from security guarantees and military sales from the US

Bahrain has been designated a Major Non-NATO Ally by the US since 2002, which has provided it with a host of benefits. This status has allowed Bahrain to access cooperative research and development opportunities, priority delivery for excess defence articles, and reciprocally-funded cooperative training. Bahrain has also received defence articles, including the Oliver Hazard Perry Class Ship Robert G. Bradley, M198 Howitzers, mine-resistant ambush-protected vehicles, and the Mark V Special Operations Craft.

The US has also provided Bahrain with Foreign Military Financing and DoD military grant assistance to enhance its defence capabilities and interoperability with US forces. This assistance has strengthened Bahrain's ability to counter terrorism and maintain regional security.

In addition, the US and Bahrain have a long history of military cooperation, with the US Navy maintaining a presence in Bahrain since the end of World War II. Bahrain hosts the US Navy's Fifth Fleet and provides logistical and operational support, enabling the US to lead coalitions to counter piracy and terrorism and support freedom of navigation and commerce in the Strait of Hormuz.

The US has also authorised the permanent export of defence articles to Bahrain, including gas turbine engines, surface vessels of war, and fire control/night vision devices. Bahrain was the first Gulf country to receive F-16s in the 1990s and has recently taken delivery of the latest generation of these fighter jets.

The two countries have also signed agreements to further strengthen their security cooperation, including the 2004 Free Trade Agreement and the 2023 Comprehensive Security Integration and Prosperity Agreement (C-SIPA). C-SIPA aims to promote cooperation in various areas, including defence, security, science, technology, and trade.

Overall, Bahrain has benefited significantly from the security guarantees and military sales provided by the US, enhancing its defence capabilities and regional security posture.

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