Exploring Manama, Bahrain's Naval Base And Its Strategic Location

Manama, Bahrain is home to the United States Navy base, Naval Support Activity Bahrain (NSA Bahrain). The base supports the forward operations and responsiveness of U.S. and allied forces in the region. NSA Bahrain is the primary base for naval and marine activities in the region and provides support through logistics, supply, protection, and various facilities and programs for military personnel.

Naval Support Activity Bahrain (NSA Bahrain) is a US Navy base

The US Navy's presence at the site was established during World War II, and the base was officially transferred to the U.S. government in 1971 when Bahrain gained independence from the British Empire. NSA Bahrain provides support to the United States Armed Forces and coalition assets through logistical, supply, and protection services. It also offers a Navy Exchange facility and Morale, Welfare, and Recreation programs.

The base is responsible for supporting forward operations and the responsiveness of U.S. and allied forces in the region. NSA Bahrain is home to approximately 8,500 military personnel and DoD Civilian employees, as well as 78 Tenant Commands and Joint and Coalition Forces. The commander of Navy Region Europe, Africa, Southwest Asia is responsible for the base, and it falls under the coordination of Naval Forces Central Command.

In 2003, facilities at NSA Bahrain began expanding with the onset of Operation Iraqi Freedom, and in 2006, a large food court and an expanded Navy Exchange were opened to enhance morale and welfare support for service members and tenant commands. In 2010, the Navy embarked on a significant expansion project, proposing to double the size of the 62-acre facility. The expansion included new utility buildings, a harbor patrol facility, a small-craft basin, new barracks, and administrative buildings.

NSA Bahrain is home to 8,500 military personnel and DoD civilian employees

Naval Support Activity Bahrain (NSA Bahrain) is a United States Navy base situated in the Kingdom of Bahrain. It is home to approximately 8,500 military personnel and Department of Defense (DoD) civilian employees, as well as 78 Tenant Commands, Joint and Coalition Forces. The base covers 60 acres and is responsible for providing operational support to US and Coalition Forces operating throughout the CENTCOM area of responsibility.

NSA Bahrain has a rich history dating back to the early 20th century when the British Royal Navy established a presence in the Persian Gulf to combat piracy and protect shipping routes. In 1935, the British opened HMS Juffair, a permanent naval base in Bahrain, which played a role during World War II. Post-war, the US Navy established a small detachment in the region, which later became known as the US Middle East Force.

In 1971, with Bahrain's independence from British rule, the US Navy took over the entire site from the British. The base was renamed Administrative Support Unit (ASU) Bahrain and later Administrative Support Unit Southwest Asia in 1992 to reflect its expanding role. The base continued to grow and evolve, and in 1997, it became known as Naval Support Activity Bahrain.

NSA Bahrain provides essential logistical, supply, and protection support to US Naval Forces Central Command and the United States Fifth Fleet. It also offers a range of facilities and services, including a Navy Exchange facility, morale and welfare programs, and the Freedom Souq food court. The base underwent significant expansion between 2010 and 2015, with a $580-million project to double the size of the facility and improve infrastructure.

The base provides logistical, supply, and protection support

Naval Support Activity Bahrain (NSA Bahrain) is a United States Navy base situated in Manama, Bahrain. NSA Bahrain provides support through logistical, supply, and protection measures, as well as other facilities and programmes for the United States Armed Forces and coalition assets.

The base is responsible for enabling the forward operations and responsiveness of US and allied forces, supporting Navy Region Europe, Africa, Central's mission to service the fleet, warfighter, and their families. NSA Bahrain is home to around 8,500 military personnel and Department of Defense (DoD) Civilian employees, as well as 78 Tenant Commands and Joint and Coalition Forces.

NSA Bahrain's logistical support includes a range of facilities and services that cater to the needs of the personnel and their families. This includes a medical clinic, a credit union, a visitor control centre, and a fleet and family support centre. The base also has a Navy Exchange facility, which provides shopping and morale, welfare, and recreation services to enhance the welfare of service members.

In terms of supply, NSA Bahrain supports the United States Navy's Central Command and the Fifth Fleet. The base provides operational support to US and Coalition Forces operating throughout the CENTCOM area of responsibility. NSA Bahrain is also the primary base in the region for naval and marine activities in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF).

Protection and security are vital aspects of NSA Bahrain's mission. The base is responsible for the safety of its personnel and assets, as well as the surrounding area. Harbor security boats patrol the nearby waterway to ensure the security of the base and the Mina Salman pier. Additionally, the base has a robust security infrastructure, including a perimeter wall and a security gate, to safeguard against potential threats.

NSA Bahrain's support in logistics, supply, and protection is essential for the successful operation of US and allied forces in the region. The base's capabilities enable the US military to maintain its forward presence and respond effectively to any situation that may arise.

NSA Bahrain is located on the original territory of the British Royal Navy base, HMS Jufair

Naval Support Activity Bahrain (NSA Bahrain) is a United States Navy base situated in the Kingdom of Bahrain. NSA Bahrain is home to the U.S. Naval Forces Central Command and the United States Fifth Fleet. The base provides support to both the United States Armed Forces and coalition assets through logistical, supply, and protection services.

NSA Bahrain occupies the original territory of the British Royal Navy base, HMS Jufair. The first presence of the British Royal Navy in the Persian Gulf came about from the need to control pirates raiding British shipping east of Suez, especially the East India Company routes to India. In the early 1820s, the rulers of Bahrain, Salman and Abdullah Al Khalifa, signed an agreement to try to limit piracy in the area. This was strengthened in 1835 through an agreement signed specifically with the Royal Navy, which aimed to stop pirates operating in the area and limit the slave trade.

In 1902, oil was first discovered in the area, and commercial extraction began in 1925 when Frank Holmes was granted the first license. However, oil was not exported from Bahrain until 1932. After the death of Sheikh Isa in 1932, his advisor Charles Belgrave, who had helped modernize the state systems and infrastructure, suggested an agreement with the British to establish a permanent Royal Navy base within the state.

HMS Juffair was opened on April 13, 1935, as part of the port at Mina Salman. During World War II, it was bombed by the Italian Air Force as part of the Axis Forces' effort to cut off one of the three Allied Forces' sources of oil in the Persian Gulf. As a result of this raid and the United States' entry into World War II, the Royal Navy invited the U.S. Navy to deploy a small detachment to HMS Juffair. Following World War II, this posting became known as the U.S. Middle East Force, 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 U.S. Navy immediately took over the entire 10-acre site previously occupied by HMS Juffair. This site eventually became known as Naval Support Activity Bahrain, reflecting the increasing role of United States Navy activities in the region.

The base has facilities like a medical clinic, a visitor control centre, and a recreation centre

Naval Support Activity Bahrain (NSA Bahrain) is a United States Navy base located in the Kingdom of Bahrain. It is home to the U.S. Naval Forces Central Command and the United States Fifth Fleet. The base was established during World War II and has since been expanded and renovated to accommodate the needs of the U.S. Navy in the region.

NSA Bahrain offers a range of facilities and services to support its personnel and operations. One of the critical facilities is the medical clinic, which provides healthcare services to the base's community. The clinic ensures that military personnel and their families have access to essential medical care, promoting their well-being.

Another key facility is the visitor control centre, which manages access to the base. It is responsible for maintaining security and controlling the flow of visitors, contractors, and personnel entering and exiting the base. The centre plays a vital role in ensuring the safety and security of the base and its personnel.

Additionally, the base features a recreation centre, which offers a range of amenities and activities to promote the morale and welfare of the service members. The recreation centre provides a space for relaxation, social interaction, and physical activity, contributing to the overall well-being of the personnel stationed at NSA Bahrain.

These facilities, along with others on the base, support the operational readiness and effectiveness of the U.S. Navy in the region. They contribute to the health, morale, and security of the personnel, ensuring they have the necessary support to carry out their missions and maintain a high level of preparedness.

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