Naval Support Activity Bahrain
Encyclopedia
Naval Support Activity Bahrain (or NSA Bahrain) is a United States Navy
base, situated in the Kingdom of Bahrain and is home to U.S. Naval Forces Central Command
and United States Fifth Fleet. It is the primary base in the region for the naval and marine activities in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) and Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF), which is now Operation New Dawn (OND). A former military installation of the Royal Navy
, command changed hands to the U.S. government in 1971. The commander of Navy Region Southwest Asia is responsible for NSA Bahrain and Camp Lemonnier in Djibouti
. Navy Region Southwest Asia falls under the oversight of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command
(COMUSNAVCENT). Vice Admiral
Mark I. Fox
, Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command is also the Commander of the United States Fifth Fleet.
in Juffair
, Manama
, has evolved from small detachments organized nearly 60 years ago into the modern infrastructure of today. NSA Bahrain provides support through logistical, supply and protection as well as a Navy Exchange facility and Morale, Welfare and Recreation
programs to both United States Armed Forces and coalition assets.
Initially recognized as the U.S. Middle East Force in 1948, what was to become Naval Support Activity Bahrain began as a small continuous U.S. Navy presence, which later transformed into a small shore facility in Juffair, occupying Royal Navy
territory while providing logistical and communications support to Marine Expeditionary vessels.
In 1971, the permanent Royal Navy presence in Bahrain officially ended and the United States Navy moved onto the 10 acres (40,468.6 m²) previously occupied by British
operations. Eight years later the location was named Administrative Support Unit (ASU) Bahrain.
In an effort to more accurately reflect the increasing role of United States Navy activities in the region, the organization was renamed Administrative Support Unit Southwest Asia in 1992.
In 1997, under the aegis of the Military Construction Program, facilities located in Juffair saw an increased buildup, resulting in what is known today as Naval Support Activity Bahrain.
In 2003, facilities at NSA Bahrain began expanding after the Iraq (OIF) invasion.
In 2006, a large food court, known as the "Freedom Souq" and Navy Exchange opened, expanding morale and welfare support to service members and tenant commands.
In 2010, the Navy embarked on a five-year, $580-million project to expand the base, proposing to essentially double the size of the current 62-acre facility. The first phase of construction, targeted for completion by fall 2012, will include a new perimeter wall and security gate along with several new utility buildings. The second phase will expand the port operations with a new harbor patrol facility and include a small-craft basin. That phase began in late 2010 and is scheduled to be completed by late 2012. New barracks, a dining facility, a renovated recreation center and administrative buildings will be completed by 2015, according to the Navy's plan. The final phase will also include a flyover bridge connecting NSA Bahrain to the port facility at Mina Salmon.
The Navy announced on October 21, 2009 that Toussaint had been removed from his current leadership assignment and placed in a temporary deck duty position. His request to extend his current enlistment was denied and a mandatory retirement date was set for January 2010. Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus
issued a “Secretarial letter of censure” on Toussaint, which was placed in the sailor’s permanent military file. Mabus stated that he would be reviewing Toussaint's retirement pay-grade determination. A Navy spokesman stated that this meant that a decision would be made as to whether Toussaint would be allowed to keep his rank and retirement pay.
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
base, situated in the Kingdom of Bahrain and is home to U.S. Naval Forces Central Command
U.S. Naval Forces Central Command
United States Naval Forces Central Command is the United States Navy element of United States Central Command . Its area of responsibility includes the Red Sea, Gulf of Oman, Persian Gulf, and Arabian Sea...
and United States Fifth Fleet. It is the primary base in the region for the naval and marine activities in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) and Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF), which is now Operation New Dawn (OND). A former military installation of the Royal Navy
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
, command changed hands to the U.S. government in 1971. The commander of Navy Region Southwest Asia is responsible for NSA Bahrain and Camp Lemonnier in Djibouti
Djibouti
Djibouti , officially the Republic of Djibouti , is a country in the Horn of Africa. It is bordered by Eritrea in the north, Ethiopia in the west and south, and Somalia in the southeast. The remainder of the border is formed by the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden at the east...
. Navy Region Southwest Asia falls under the oversight of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command
U.S. Naval Forces Central Command
United States Naval Forces Central Command is the United States Navy element of United States Central Command . Its area of responsibility includes the Red Sea, Gulf of Oman, Persian Gulf, and Arabian Sea...
(COMUSNAVCENT). Vice Admiral
Vice Admiral
Vice admiral is a senior naval rank of a three-star flag officer, which is equivalent to lieutenant general in the other uniformed services. A vice admiral is typically senior to a rear admiral and junior to an admiral...
Mark I. Fox
Mark I. Fox
Vice Admiral Mark I. Fox, USN is a United States Navy officer currently serving as the Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command and Commander, U.S. 5th Fleet . Prior to assuming command as COMUSNAVCENT and COMFIFTHFLT, he was the Commander of the Naval Strike and Air Warfare Center at NAS...
, Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command is also the Commander of the United States Fifth Fleet.
History
Although Naval Support Activity, Bahrain has existed for slightly more than a decade, the continued presence of the United StatesUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
in Juffair
Juffair
Juffair is a suburban neighborhood of Manama, Bahrain. It was originally a separate village inhabited by Bahrainis, but it has been absorbed by the suburban expansion of Manama, and also includes large parts of land reclaimed from the sea....
, Manama
Manama
Manama is the capital and largest city of Bahrain, with an approximate population of 155,000 people.Long an important trading center in the Persian Gulf, Manama is home to a very diverse population...
, has evolved from small detachments organized nearly 60 years ago into the modern infrastructure of today. NSA Bahrain provides support through logistical, supply and protection as well as a Navy Exchange facility and Morale, Welfare and Recreation
Morale, Welfare and Recreation
Morale, Welfare and Recreation, abbreviated MWR, is a network of support and leisure services designed for use by soldiers , their families, civilian employees, military retirees and other eligible participants....
programs to both United States Armed Forces and coalition assets.
Initially recognized as the U.S. Middle East Force in 1948, what was to become Naval Support Activity Bahrain began as a small continuous U.S. Navy presence, which later transformed into a small shore facility in Juffair, occupying Royal Navy
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
territory while providing logistical and communications support to Marine Expeditionary vessels.
In 1971, the permanent Royal Navy presence in Bahrain officially ended and the United States Navy moved onto the 10 acres (40,468.6 m²) previously occupied by British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
operations. Eight years later the location was named Administrative Support Unit (ASU) Bahrain.
In an effort to more accurately reflect the increasing role of United States Navy activities in the region, the organization was renamed Administrative Support Unit Southwest Asia in 1992.
In 1997, under the aegis of the Military Construction Program, facilities located in Juffair saw an increased buildup, resulting in what is known today as Naval Support Activity Bahrain.
In 2003, facilities at NSA Bahrain began expanding after the Iraq (OIF) invasion.
In 2006, a large food court, known as the "Freedom Souq" and Navy Exchange opened, expanding morale and welfare support to service members and tenant commands.
In 2010, the Navy embarked on a five-year, $580-million project to expand the base, proposing to essentially double the size of the current 62-acre facility. The first phase of construction, targeted for completion by fall 2012, will include a new perimeter wall and security gate along with several new utility buildings. The second phase will expand the port operations with a new harbor patrol facility and include a small-craft basin. That phase began in late 2010 and is scheduled to be completed by late 2012. New barracks, a dining facility, a renovated recreation center and administrative buildings will be completed by 2015, according to the Navy's plan. The final phase will also include a flyover bridge connecting NSA Bahrain to the port facility at Mina Salmon.
Kennel investigation
A US Navy Judge Advocate General Manual investigation found that misconduct, hazing, and harassment had occurred at the base's Military Working Dog Division in 2005 and 2006. The investigation stated that the unit, under the direction of Chief Master-at-Arms Michael Toussaint, had condoned gambling, fraternization, and socializing with prostitutes. Unit members were routinely harassed and humiliated. In spite of the investigation's findings, Toussaint was later promoted and remained in the Navy. Toussaint's successor in the unit, Master-at-Arms 1st Class Jennifer Valdivia, committed suicide after being informed of the report's findings. The Navy is reexamining actions taken in response to the investigation.The Navy announced on October 21, 2009 that Toussaint had been removed from his current leadership assignment and placed in a temporary deck duty position. His request to extend his current enlistment was denied and a mandatory retirement date was set for January 2010. Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus
Ray Mabus
Raymond Edwin "Ray" Mabus, Jr. is the 75th United States Secretary of the Navy. Mabus served as the 60th Governor of the U.S...
issued a “Secretarial letter of censure” on Toussaint, which was placed in the sailor’s permanent military file. Mabus stated that he would be reviewing Toussaint's retirement pay-grade determination. A Navy spokesman stated that this meant that a decision would be made as to whether Toussaint would be allowed to keep his rank and retirement pay.