U.S. POSTURING ASSETS TO DEFEND ISRAEL, U.S. FORCES IN MIDDLE EAST
Story by David Vergun, DOD News
The Defense Department continues to move vessels and aircraft across the Middle East to improve U.S. force protection, increase the defense of Israel and ensure the United States can respond to a range of contingencies, said Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh at a press briefing today.
The USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group will replace the USS Theodore Roosevelt carrier strike group, which is in the U.S. Central Command region, said a DOD press release on Aug. 2.
According to the statement, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III ordered additional ballistic missile defense-capable cruisers and destroyers to the U.S. European Command and Centcom regions. He also ordered deployment of an additional fighter squadron to the Middle East to bolster defensive air support capability.
"These posture adjustments add to the broad range of capabilities the U.S. military maintains in the region, including the USS Wasp amphibious ready group/Marine expeditionary unit operating in the eastern Mediterranean," the statement said.
Austin spoke yesterday with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant to reiterate that the U.S. has ironclad support for Israel's security and right to self-defense against threats from Iran, Lebanese Hezbollah, Houthis and other Iranianbacked terrorist groups, Singh said.
"They discussed U.S. force posture moves that the department is taking for defense and deterrence and reinforced the need to de-escalate broader tensions in the region, to include strong support for a Gaza cease-fire and hostage-release deal," Singh said.
Elsewhere, DOD and the Ministry of National Defense of Niger announced earlier today that the withdrawal of U.S. forces and assets from Air Base 201 in Agadez is complete, she said.
This effort began on May 19 following
the mutual establishment of withdrawal conditions. Coordination will continue between U.S. and Nigerien armed forces over the coming weeks to ensure the full withdrawal is complete as planned, she said.
"U.S. forces are still on track to meet the Sept. 15 deadline of a full withdrawal from Niger," she said, noting that there are less than 24 U.S. military personnel still in the country.
Separately, Singh noted that on Aug. 2, Austin signed a memo reserving for himself the authority to enter into pretrial agreements with those accused in the 9/11 military commission cases.
As the superior convening authority, the secretary last week withdrew from the pretrial agreements that were signed in those cases, she noted.
NSA Bahrain Navy Housing Hosts Symposium
Airman in the Spotlight
Task Force 59 Holds Change of Command Ceremony
Task Force 59 Holds Change of Command Ceremony
MANAMA, Bahrain – U.S. Naval Forces Central Command’s Task Force (TF) 59 welcomed a new commander during a change of command ceremony aboard Naval Support Activity Bahrain, July 30.
Capt. John Barrientos relieved Capt. Colin Corridan, who assumed command of TF 59 in March 2023.
The task force specializes in the integration of unmanned systems and artificial intelligence with maritime operations in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations. Under Corridan’s leadership, TF 59 personnel participated in over 30 exercises and operations including the U.S. Navy’s first unmanned transit of the Strait of Hormuz and the transition of an unmanned aerial vehicle from a commercial application to supporting military operations.
Vice Adm. George Wikoff, commander of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command and U.S. 5th Fleet, noted Corridan’s performance as the task force commander as he advances the operational integration of unmanned systems paired with A.I. platforms.
“Your tour here has been nothing short of exceptional,” said Wikoff. “Although much experimentation had been done, you were the catalyst for moving us from concepts and ideas to real-time relevant solutions for operational problems — the connective tissue between industry, Navy leadership, technology and multiple regional partners.”
While commanding TF 59, Corridan commissioned a new task group focused on unmanned operations in January 2024. The task group, known as Task Group 59.1, focuses on the operational deployment of unmanned systems teamed with manned operators to bolster maritime security across the Middle East region. The task group ensures the seamless integration of
new technology introduced to operators while in theater.
Corridan praised the efforts of the men and women he served alongside.
“This is a tight knit group individuals from various nations and it was incredible to see the beauty of the team operating together in a quick and timely fashion from the past couple of months,” Corridan said.
“The talent that came in and their different experiences, diverse backgrounds and abilities really lent to making this team really strong.”
With his tour complete, Corridan will
next report to the Disruptive Capabilities Office in Washington, D.C.
Barrientos assumes command of TF 59 following a Chief Naval Operations fellowship to the Council on Foreign Relations in New York. This will be his third tour in the U.S. 5th Fleet region.
“We're integrating cutting edge technology to enhance maritime domain awareness, deter malign actors and foster new partnerships. The 5th Fleet area of operations remains an ideal location for this endeavor given the region's unique geography, climate and strategic
importance,” said Capt. John Barrientos, incoming commander of TF 59. “I'm eager to see what the future holds and how we shape it together. Thank you for your hard work thus far and for the efforts you're going to be putting forward as we move forward together in support of our nation.”
The U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations encompasses approximately 2.5 million square miles of water space and includes the Arabian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, Red Sea, parts of the Indian Ocean and three critical choke points at the Strait of Hormuz, Suez Canal and Strait of Bab al-Mandeb.
Story by NAVCENT Public Affairs
NSA Bahrain Navy Housing Hosts Symposium
MANAMA, Bahrain – The Housing Service Center at Naval Support Activity (NSA) Bahrain hosted a housing symposium at the Gulf Hotel, July 23.
The goal of the symposium was to improve communication, provide information, and establish a sound and harmonious relationship between local property managers, landlords, realtors, and agents with the Navy’s Housing Service Center to better serve the service members and civilian tenants at Naval Support Activity (NSA) Bahrain and other military installations in Bahrain.
This was the first symposium hosted by the Navy’s Housing Service Center.
“The event was successful because of the right vision and goals that we had in mind, the support the command and housing team provided, being critical during the planning stages, identifying the correct venue and the execution by all parties involved which included NSA Bahrain staff members, Defense Criminal
Investigative Service, housing and Gulf Hotel staff members,” said Gilbert Bitanga, Housing Director. “I found it successful because of the positive feedback we received from the attendees after the symposium. We brainstormed to ensure we
had good topics for discussion, invited the correct speakers, and during the event my staff was there to provide registration support, act as emcees, and to help facilitate any questions that our guests had.”
Realtors expressed their appreciation for the information received during the event.
“This was the first time Housing held a symposium for us and it actually went extremely well and was very interesting and informative,” said Dennis Pathrose, a local registered agent with the Housing Service Center. “It was useful for all of the registered agents because they [Housing Service Center staff] explained our importance as agents, all of the preparations required to work with service members to be able to show them the types of properties they’re actually interested in, instead of showing them places that won’t be worthwhile for them in the end. I also learned about the importance of clear negotiations with the landlords for the specific tenant requirements and about some of the legal implications involved with the process of helping service members find a suitable place to live.”
Dutton Relieved by Munden at FDRMC Detachment Bahrain Change of Charge
Story By Forward Deployed Regional Maintenance Center Public Affairs
MANAMA, Bahrain – Cmdr. Micah Munden relieved Cmdr. Timothy Dutton as officer in charge of Forward Deployed Regional Maintenance Center (FDRMC) Detachment Bahrain in a change of charge ceremony held onboard U.S. Naval Support Activity Bahrain, July 25, 2024.
FDRMC commanding officer, Capt. Mollie Bily, presided over the ceremony. Bily outlined Dutton’s accomplishments as officer in charge, expressed gratitude for his service and presented him with the Meritorious Service Medal.
During his tenure, Dutton delivered readiness to forward deployed naval forces operating in U.S. Fifth Fleet. He led more than 100 Sailors, civilians, local nationals and contractors that executed maintenance and modernization for homeported ships and supported more than 30 deployed ships during the most active naval conflict since World War II. Dutton oversaw the execution of $63 million in maintenance funds across two successful Chief of Naval Operations availabilities, 73 continuous maintenance availabilities and windows of opportunity, 32 voyage repairs and more than 1,800 repairs since December 2022.
Additionally, Dutton spearheaded improvements for fire response during maintenance availabilities on board NSA Bahrain and continued efforts to expand maintenance operations outside of traditional hubs in U.S. Fifth Fleet. He oversaw the maintenance for the first extended Littoral Combat Ship deployed in Fifth Fleet executing planned and emergent maintenance to ensure the ship remained mission-ready for tasking. Finally, Dutton and the FDRMC Bahrain team provided exceptional support to ships deployed to Fifth Fleet completing more than 7,000 fleet technical assists and other maintenance support requests since October 7, 2023. That support kept deployed ships on mission when it mattered most.
“FDRMC Bahrain has continued to grow under your watch, maintaining our current Fleet and preparing for the Fleet to come,” said Bily. “Thank you for your service to our nation, our Navy, our Fleet, but most importantly, our Sailors and our team that supports them.”
Dutton reflected on his time leading FDRMC Detachment Bahrain and expressed gratitude to the team and for the opportunity to serve.
Cmdr. Micah Munden, incoming officer in charge, is an Engineering Duty Officer. He most recently served as Lead Electrical Inspector, Board of Inspection and Survey in Little Creek, Va. He previously served at Mid-Atlantic
Regional Maintenance Center, Commander, Naval Surface Force Pacific, Commander, Naval Surface Squadron Five as the Maintenance and Material Officer (N43); and Southeast Regional Maintenance Center. He qualified as a Surface Warfare Officer while serving aboard USS Devastator (MCM 6). FDRMC provides emergent, intermediate and depotlevel maintenance and modernization for transient and
Forward Deployed Naval Forces in U.S. 5th and 6th Fleets through fleet technical assistance, voyage repair, contract management oversight, assessments, and diving and salvage. FDRMC is the only forward-deployed RMC supporting two numbered fleets, serving three combatant commanders, and conducting work on three continents. For more information, visit https://www.navsea.navy.mil/ Home/RMC/FDRMC/.
Fire Alarms in
Apartment Buildings
Large apartment buildings are built to keep people safe from fire. Fire alarm systems detect smoke and fire. They will warn residents of danger.
KKK The fire alarm system has many parts that work together. Some of the parts are out of sight. In a fire, smoke detectors sense smoke and activate the fire alarm. Manual fire alarm boxes allow people to sound the alarm. When the fire alarm system activates it will warn residents of danger.
KKK Everyone in the building should know where to find the manual fire alarm boxes (alarm boxes on the wall with a pull bar). Most are found within five feet of an exit door.
KKK If there is a fire, pull the manual fire alarm box handle on your way out of the building.
KKK When the system senses smoke or fire, a loud horn or tone will sound. Everyone must know what this sound means and how to react.
KKK Leave the building right away if you hear the sound of a fire alarm. Stay outside at your meeting place until you are told the building is safe.
KKK Treat every fire alarm as an emergency. When the alarms sounds, get outside.
KKK Only use a manual fire alarm box if there is smoke or fire. Frequent false alarms are a problem. People might ignore the sound if they hear too many false alarms. False alarms also put firefighters at risk.
Escape 101
Know the locations of all exit stairs from your floor. If the nearest one is blocked by fire or smoke, you may have to use another exit.
If the fire alarm sounds feel the door before opening. If it is hot, use another way out. If it is cool, use this exit to leave.
Close all doors behind you as you leave. Take the key to your apartment in case you are not able to get out of the building.
If fire or smoke is blocking all exits, return or stay in your apartment. Keep the door closed. Cover cracks around the door with towels or tape.
Call 9-1-1 and let the fire department know you are trapped. Signal from the window by waving a flashlight or light-colored cloth.
Meet with your landlord or building manager to learn about the fire safety features and plans in your building.
NSA Bahrain Fire Department
DSN: 439-7012
Sailors, Marines, & their families when faced with
LINKED
By LCDR D. Ryan Williams, TF 51/5th MEB Chaplain
Before looking it up I didn’t realize the symbol we now associate with the Olympic Games—5 inter-locking, colored rings—came into existence in 1913. The rings represent the five primary inhabited continents on earth and the colors indicate the colors found in most participating countries’ national flags. The Olympics (summer and winter) are a biennial reminder of the fighting human spirit and the power of unity found in connected community.
Perhaps this model can encourage and inspire us as well. Certainly, our world needs this type of LINKED community more than ever right now, but what about our work centers, our families, and our neighborhoods? How can we incorporate this LINKED spirit into our most proximal relationships and communities? You may have already found effective and meaningful ways to link with those in your various communities, and if so, I urge you to continue those efforts. For those who could use some recommendations on how to link, here are a few (using the acronym LINK):
1. LISTEN. One sure way to link and connect with those around you is to give your mouth a pause and open your ears. Take time to listen to the stories of those in your various family, friend, and work circles. Observe what is meaningful and matters most to them. Listening to others will consequently link you to others because they feel seen and heard.
2. INVITE. The other day we had some new neighbors move in next door to us. Have you ever moved into a new place and felt just a little shy about introducing yourself or “breaking into a new community? It can be so much easier to do when someone who is already in the community invites you to join. Be observative, notice those on the periphery and invite them into your community. Invitations help link people in community.
3. NEIGHBOR. It has been asked before, “Who is my neighbor?” The answer to that question coined the title “Good Samaritan”—the title for someone who chooses to tend to the needs of others before their own. In his fictitious, yet impactful neighborhood, Mr. Rogers defined a neighbor similarly as “The person you happen to be with at the moment…especially if that person…is in need.” Both Jesus and Mr. Rogers teach us that being a good neighbor will link hearts and humans together in powerful community.
4. KIND. This may sound simplistic or trite, but good old fashion kindness can go a long way. Being kind is a choice and is born from respect and compassion. Kindness comes from a genuine intention to think about and lift others. Make a concentrated effort to be kind to others and you will be a catalyst to linking communities.
As we go about this week and conclude these Summer Olympic Games, my hope is we will identify proactive ways to link in our various communities. Take time to Listen, Invite, be a Neighbor, and be Kind and watch the link start to grow!
New MOVIES at the MWR Cinema
Deadpool & Wolverine (R) – 2h 8m
Deadpool is offered a place in the Marvel Cinematic Universe by the Time Variance Authority, but instead recruits a variant of Wolverine to save his universe from extinction.
| Cast: Ryan Reynolds, Hugh Jackman, Emma Corrin
Harold and the Purple Crayon (PG-13) – 1h 32m
Inside of his book, adventurous Harold can make anything come to life simply by drawing it. After he grows up and draws himself off the book's pages and into the physical world, Harold finds he has a lot to learn about real life. |
Cast: Zachary Levi, Lil Rel Howery, Benjamin Bottani
MaXXXine (R) – 1h 43m
In 1980s Hollywood, adult film star and aspiring actress Maxine Minx finally gets her big break. But as a mysterious killer stalks the starlets of Hollywood, a trail of blood threatens to reveal her sinister past. | Cast: Charley Rowan McCain, Simon Prast, Mia Goth
