Nsa Bahrain: A Strategic Military Base In The Middle East

NSA Bahrain, or Naval Support Activity 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 occupies the original territory of the British Royal Navy base, HMS Jufair, which was transferred to the U.S. government in 1971. NSA Bahrain provides logistical, supply, and protection support to the United States Armed Forces and coalition assets in the region.

NSA Bahrain is a US Navy base

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

The history of the site began with the need to control pirates raiding British shipping routes in the Persian Gulf during the early 1800s. The British Royal Navy appointed a Senior Naval Officer to the region and signed agreements with the rulers of Bahrain to curb piracy and limit the slave trade. In 1935, the British established HMS Juffair as a permanent base within Bahrain, located at Mina Salman. During World War II, the base was bombed by the Italian Air Force as part of the Axis Forces' strategy to cut off Allied access to oil in the Persian Gulf.

Following the United States' entry into World War II, the Royal Navy invited the U.S. Navy to deploy a detachment to the site. After the war, in 1948, the U.S. Navy's presence was recognised as the U.S. Middle East Force, providing logistical and communications support to Marine Expeditionary vessels. When Bahrain gained independence in 1971, the USN took over the entire site, and the location became known as Administrative Support Unit (ASU) Bahrain.

Today, NSA Bahrain provides essential 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 has undergone significant expansion and development since its establishment, including a $580 million project in 2010 to double the size of the facility.

It is situated in the Kingdom of Bahrain

NSA Bahrain, or Naval Support Activity 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 occupies the original territory of the British Royal Navy base, HMS Jufair, which was transferred to the U.S. government in 1971 when Bahrain gained independence from the British Empire. NSA Bahrain provides support through logistical, supply, and protection services, as well as through its Navy Exchange facility and Morale, Welfare, and Recreation programs. These services are offered to both the United States Armed Forces and coalition assets.

The Kingdom of Bahrain is an island country situated in the Persian Gulf, off the coast of Saudi Arabia. It is made up of a group of islands, including Bahrain Island, which is the largest and most populous. The country has a long history of foreign occupation, including periods under Portuguese, Persian, and British rule. The presence of the British Royal Navy in Bahrain dates back to the early 1800s when they sought to control pirates raiding British shipping in the region. Over time, agreements were signed with the rulers of Bahrain to limit piracy and the slave trade, and later, the discovery of oil further solidified the British presence in the area.

NSA Bahrain's roots can be traced back to World War II when the British Royal Navy established a presence at HMS Juffair. During the war, the Italian Air Force bombed the site as part of the Axis Forces' efforts to cut off one of the three Allied Forces' sources of oil in the Persian Gulf. In response, the Royal Navy invited the U.S. Navy to deploy a small detachment to the region. Post-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, as Bahrain gained its independence, the permanent Royal Navy presence in the country officially ended, and the site was transferred to the USN. This marked the beginning of what is now known as NSA Bahrain. The base has since undergone various expansions and renovations, including a significant $580-million project proposed in 2010 to double the size of the facility. Today, NSA Bahrain continues to serve as a vital naval base for the United States in the region, providing support and protection for naval and marine activities.

It is home to the US Naval Forces Central Command

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. The base occupies the original territory of the British Royal Navy base, known as HMS Jufair, which was transferred to the US government in 1971. The US naval presence at the site was first established during World War II, when the US entered the war in December 1941. Post-war, the US Navy detachment was recognised as the US Middle East Force, a small shore facility providing logistical and communications support to Marine Expeditionary vessels.

Today, NSA Bahrain continues to provide essential support to US naval operations in the region. It offers logistical, supply, and protection support, as well as Navy Exchange facilities and Morale, Welfare, and Recreation programs for US Armed Forces and coalition assets. The base is crucial for naval and marine activities, especially in support of operations like Operation Enduring Freedom. It also played a significant role in Operation Iraqi Freedom, which later became Operation New Dawn until the conclusion of the Iraq War.

The base has undergone several expansions and renovations to enhance its capabilities and facilities. In 2003, NSA Bahrain began expanding in conjunction with the start of Operation Iraqi Freedom. This included the addition of the "Freedom Souq," a large food court, and an expanded Navy Exchange in 2006, further improving morale and welfare support for service members and tenant commands. From 2010 onwards, the Navy undertook a significant five-year, $580-million project to almost double the size of the base. This expansion included new perimeter security, utility buildings, a harbour patrol facility, a small-craft basin, new barracks, and administrative buildings. The final phase included a flyover bridge that connects NSA Bahrain to the port facility at Mina Salman.

The commander of Navy Region Europe, Africa, and Southwest Asia is responsible for overseeing NSA Bahrain and Camp Lemonnier in Djibouti. This region coordinates closely with the Naval Forces Central Command to ensure effective operations and support for US naval forces in the region. NSA Bahrain's contributions have been recognised through awards such as the DOD Installation Excellence Award, acknowledging the dedication and excellence of the people who maintain and operate US military installations.

The base was originally a British Royal Navy base

NSA Bahrain, or Naval Support Activity Bahrain, is a United States Navy base situated in the Kingdom of Bahrain. It is home to the U.S. Naval Forces Central Command and the United States Fifth Fleet. The base 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 due to the need to control pirates raiding British shipping east of Suez and 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 a specific deal with the Royal Navy, which aimed to stop the slave trade in the region as well.

In 1932, oil was first exported from Bahrain. After the death of Sheikh Isa in the same year, his advisor Charles Belgrave suggested that they come to an agreement with the British to open a permanent Royal Navy base within the state. As a result, HMS Juffair opened on April 13, 1935, as part of the port at Mina Salman. During World War II, the base was bombed by the Italian Air Force as the Axis Forces attempted to cut off one of the three Allied Forces sources of oil in the Persian Gulf.

With Bahrain gaining independence from the British Empire in 1971, the permanent presence of the Royal Navy in Bahrain officially ended, and the USN immediately took on the entire site.

The base was transferred to the US government in 1971

NSA Bahrain, or Naval Support Activity 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 occupies the original territory of the British Royal Navy base, known as HMS Jufair, which was established during World War II.

The transfer of the base to the US government occurred in 1971, coinciding with Bahrain's independence from the British Empire. This marked the official end of the permanent Royal Navy presence in Bahrain. With the agreement of the Emir, the USN immediately assumed control of the entire 10-acre site. The transfer was a significant development, as it solidified the US military's presence in the region and allowed for the expansion of naval and marine activities.

Prior to this transfer, the site had a long history of military use. In the early 1820s, the rulers of Bahrain, Salman and Abdullah Al Khalifa, signed an agreement with Britain to curb piracy in the region. This was further strengthened in 1835 with a specific agreement targeting piracy and the slave trade. Oil discovery and export in the early 20th century added to the strategic importance of the region.

In 1932, after the death of Sheikh Isa, his advisor Charles Belgrave suggested establishing a permanent Royal Navy base in Bahrain. This proposal led to the opening of HMS Juffair on April 13, 1935, as part of the port at Mina Salman. During World War II, the base was bombed by the Italian Air Force as the Axis Forces targeted one of the three Allied Forces' oil sources in the Persian Gulf.

The US Navy's involvement at the site began in 1941, with the entry of the United States into World War II. The Royal Navy invited the USN to deploy a small detachment, and post-WWII, this posting became known as the U.S. Middle East Force. It provided logistical and communications support to Marine Expeditionary vessels.

Frequently asked questions