U.S. Navy, 35+ Partners Commence International Maritime Exercise (IMX) 2025
Courtesy Story
MANAMA, Bahrain – The Middle East region’s largest maritime exercise, International Maritime Exercise (IMX) 2025, kicked off in two locations, Bahrain and Jordan, Feb. 10.
The week began with academic discussions covering a series of topics including the naval planning process, maritime operations center procedures, and disaster response coordination.
IMX25 is a 12-day naval training event hosted by U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT). This year’s iteration of IMX is linked with exercise Cutlass Express. Cutlass Express, led by U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa, is an annually scheduled exercise designed to enhance regional maritime awareness and the combined capabilities of partner nations to respond to maritime threats. The exercises are link through information sharing between maritime operations center to strengthen theater-totheater coordination, reducing regional seams and strengthening U.S. and partner nation capabilities and interoperability.
More than 5,000 personnel
from more than 35 nations and international organizations will take part in both exercises.
IMX is designed to demonstrate global resolve in preserving the
rules-based international order, offering a unique opportunity for participants to collaborate and showcase regional maritime security cooperation.
“Exercises like IMX show that we are at our best when we work together and that our resolve is unwavering,” said U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Jeff Jurgemeyer, NAVCENT
vice commander, during his remarks at the opening ceremony.
“The Middle East region is a critical crossroads for worldwide commerce and trade. IMX is our combined assurance that the potential for economic success is greatest when international waterways are safe and open for all.”
The operational phase will include partner exchanges on mine and countermeasures; visit, board, search and seizure; unmanned systems and artificial intelligence integration; explosive ordnance disposal; vessel defense; search and rescue; and mass casualty response, among other focus areas.
This is the ninth iteration of IMX since its establishment in 2012.
The U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations encompasses nearly 2.5 million square miles of water area 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 Bab al-Mandeb.
More information about IMX is available at: https://www.cusnc. navy.mil/IMX/.
NSA Bahrain Earns Inaugural “Best-in-Class,” SeventhConsecutive Retention Excellence Award
Story by Lt.j.g. Bryan Blair, NSA Bahrain Public Affairs
MANAMA, Bahrain -- For the seventh consecutive year, Naval Support Activity Bahrain has earned the Navy Retention Excellence Award (REA) for fiscal year 2024 (FY24), with an additional first-ever distinction of “Best-in-Class” (BIC) in the large installation category.
“We are in a war for talent to attract, develop, and retain the very best by utilizing all force management levers at our
disposal,” said Vice Adm. Richard Cheeseman Jr., commander, Navy Personnel Command (NPC), via Navy-wide message. “We must retain our trained and experienced Sailors who are personally invested in mission success by actively building great people, leaders, and teams. Similarly, our leaders must think, act, and operate differently to encourage and foster an environment where Sailors want to stay Navy.”
Overseen by NPC, the REA is awarded annually to commands
who meet or exceed platformspecific reenlistment rate benchmarks while remaining at or below the Navy's established attrition benchmark. Those commands are then eligible for the BIC distinction, which the decision being made at the type commander (TYCOM) level. Commander, Navy Installations Command (CNIC), the TYCOM for NSA Bahrain, selected the forwarddeployed installation as its winner for FY24.
“Despite a myriad of regional
and global challenges over the past several years, one thing has remained ironclad – the dedication of our NSA Bahrain Sailors,” said Capt. Zachariah Aperauch, commanding officer, NSA Bahrain.
“Our installation earning the REA for the seventh straight year and first-ever best-in-class is a remarkable achievement; one that is shared by the entire team, from our most junior Sailors to our most senior leaders. The Navy is able to retain the highest-caliber talent because of this installation’s
commitment to development and excellence.”
NSA Bahrain’s mission is to support U.S. and coalition maritime operations throughout the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations by providing security for ships, aircraft and tenants on board NSA Bahrain and assigned detachments. NSA Bahrain provides efficient and effective shore services to sustain the fleet, enable the fighter and support the family with honor, courage and commitment.
School, Home Community Partnerships: Positive Parenting for Safe Kids & Strong Families aboard NSA Bahrain
By: Ms. Marla Echols and Dr. Guillermo Ybarra
Parents, educators, and professionals from Fleet and Family Support Center (FFSC) Bahrain gathered at the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) Bahrain Elementary School for the first in a series of Resilience Achievement & Wellbeing (RAW) Bites presentations, Feb. 4.
The session, entitled “Positive Parenting for Safe Kids and Strong Families,” and led by Dr. Guillermo Ybarra, LPC, focused on understanding temperament, attachment, and children's emotional needs to foster healthy development which leads to resilient students who achieve in academics and wellbeing.
FFSC Bahrain has partnered with the DoDEA Bahrain schools to support a collective effort to identify and support the school community with resources supporting the healthy development of resilient students who achieve in academics and garner skills to sustain their well-being. During the first semester, FFSC led “SEW Bites” sessions
focusing on social emotional wellness for families. The school-home community partnership, driven by data collected from stakeholders, will continue to build on this foundation entering the second semester.
“This is such a positive partnership between the school, the base and the parents,” said Allison Peltz, an instructional leader at Bahrain Elementary School. “It provides parents with tools and resources
needed for home. Those strategies and tools help foster dialogue and partnership with the teachers. In the end, it all supports the child. Everyone benefits and strong families get stronger.”
Ybarra, a Mental Health Therapist with over a decade of experience, emphasized the importance of secure attachment in childhood and how parents can benefit from having a better understanding of their children's temperament, and emotional needs. Drawing from his background in trauma services and his work with military service members and their families, he discussed how early emotional regulation can prevent emotional dysregulation and strengthen family bonds.
"Understanding these topics is essential because it helps parents foster healthy relationships with their children, support their child's ability to regulate emotions, and build a strong support network,” said Ybarra. “Parenting can be challenging, but knowing you are not alone can make a significant difference.”
This partnership is a continuation of a school-home community partnership initiative led by Ms. Marla Echols, DoDEA Europe South’s 2024 District Teacher of the Year. Echols explained the initiative, which began in Rota Community Schools in Spain, provides a framework that focuses on outcomes leading to partnerships that create opportunities to “be the village we need for our school communities to thrive.”
Echols’ goal with this initiative is to build sustainable partnerships within the community that provide proactive resources
and outlets to support learners, families, educators, and the community. The collaborative effort between Bahrain Schools, FFSC and parents, aims to equip families with practical tools to support their children's academic, social and emotional well-being, enabling student success in learning environments.
“This event was very valuable to our parents,” said Ms. Shana Seawright, an instructional leader at Bahrain Middle High School. “We look forward to our continued partnership with FFSC Bahrain as we plan additional opportunities to support our school community.”
Future sessions will continue to foster DoDEA’s resilience-building initiatives that equip parents with the necessary positive parenting strategies. Equipping parents supports learners’ application of critical skills like perseverance, self-regulation, understanding emotions and nurturing a mindset of resiliency. This school-home community partnership supports the continuous efforts to engage and empower the whole child and school community to succeed in this dynamic world. One of the successes of this initiative has been to conduct sessions based on stakeholder feedback and needs, and the goal of the next session is to unpack scenarios submitted by those stakeholders.
The school-home community partnership has successfully held sessions in the first and second quarters. The third and fourth quarter sessions are tentatively scheduled for April 15 and May 13, respectively, in Gill Hall from 1315-1415.
Pakistan Assumes Command of Combined Maritime Forces’ Combined Task Force 151
From NAVCENT Public Affairs MANAMA, Bahrain –The Pakistan navy assumed command of Combined Maritime Forces’ counter-piracy focused task force during a change-of-command ceremony, Jan. 22.
Türkiye navy Rear Adm. Rustu Sezer turned over command of Combined Task Force (CTF) 151 to Pakistan navy Commodore Sohail Azmie.
Since assuming command in July, Sezer oversaw ships supporting the task force as they conducted multinational exercises to hone skills and promote transnational relationships. Ships also routinely conducted maritime patrols in the Gulf of Aden to directly suppress piracy outside territorial waters of coastal states, in coordination with the European Union Naval Force.
This was Türkiye’s seventh time in command of CTF 151.
Sezer thanked the many nations that take part in counter-piracy operations, particularly Japan, the Republic of Korea, and Pakistan, for their contributions.
"The main objective was not only deter, suppress and disturb piracy, but also
maintain effective and meaningful coordination with the other counterpiracy task forces, regional partners and nations to ensure efficient use of assets and information sharing," Sezer said. "We have been in close cooperation and sharing information to increase the effectiveness of our counterpiracy operation."
Vice Adm. George Wikoff, commander of Combined Maritime Forces, thanked Sezer for continuing to move CTF 151 forward in supporting the task force and CMF mission.
"The challenge was clear: disrupt illicit activities, create a safer maritime domain and foster cooperation amongst the key stakeholders, and to that end, you've achieved all those objectives," Wikoff said of Sezer's tenure in command. "CTF 151 took significant step towards forwarding regional cooperation, reflecting the absolute requirement for us to combine effects to counter the maritime threats. Moving forward, we will maintain our resolute focus on maritime security, and thanks to leaders like Commodores Sezer, we remain engaged and fully mission capable."
Calling him, "the right leader at the
CMF's Combined Task Force 150 Carries Out
First Drug Interdiction with New Zealand In Command
MANAMA, Bahrain -- A U.S. Coast Guard fast-response cutter, working in direct support of New Zealand-led Combined Task Force (CTF) 150 of Combined Maritime Forces, seized nearly 2,400 kilograms of illegal drugs from a vessel in the Arabian Sea, Feb. 7.
The interdiction by the Sentinel-class fast-response cutter USCGC Emlen Tunnell (WPC-1145) represents CTF 150's first drug seizure since New Zealand assumed command Jan. 15.
The cutter's boarding team discovered and seized 2,357kg of hashish from the vessel. After weighing and documenting the haul, the crew properly disposed of the narcotics.
Commodore Rodger Ward, commander of CTF 150, said he's proud of the team effort that went into making this interdiction a reality after only a few weeks in command.
"Our command is a small cog in a system focused on interdicting illicit trafficking on the high seas," Ward said. "This is a team effort and this bust would not have been possible without the support of the 46 nations who make up the Combined Maritime Forces."
Ward noted that every bust we make reduces the flow of finances to terrorist organizations. "This is why we're here, to contribute to maritime security and protect the rules-based international order," he said.
Emlen Tunnell is forward deployed to Bahrain. The fast response cutter is part of a contingent of U.S. Coast Guard ships operating in the region under Patrol Forces Southwest Asia (PATFORSWA). PATFORSWA deploys Coast Guard personnel and ships alongside U.S. and regional naval forces throughout the Middle East.
CTF 150 is one of five task forces under Combined Maritime Forces, the world's largest international naval partnership. CTF 150's mission is to deter and disrupt the ability of nonstate actors to move weapons, drugs and other illicit substances in the Indian Ocean, the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman.
Combined Maritime Forces is a 46-nation naval partnership upholding the international rules-based order by promoting security and stability across 3.2 million square miles of water encompassing some of the world's most important shipping lanes.
right time," Wikoff expressed confidence in Azmie's experience as a surface warfare officer. He also noted Pakistan's strong record of leading CMF task forces.
"As most of you know, it was a week ago that the Pakistan Navy relinquished command and Task Force 150, here we are today, welcoming another senior Pakistan Navy leader to command a CMF Task Force. Pakistan's dedication to regional security is exemplified by its willingness to demonstrate consistent leadership within the CMF," Wikoff said.
This will be Pakistan’s eleventh time in command of CTF 151.
"We believe there exists a maritime cooperative continuum. At one end of it is the independent deployment of assets while remaining open to what Robert Kaplan says, is 'plug-and-play' maritime security architecture, and on the other end is the contribution towards multi-lateral constructs such as the CMF, where one aligns with the partners and allies for collective good," Azmie said. "Our focus would be to work together with the partner nations, other commands and maritime organizations for accomplishing CMF and
CTF 151 missions."
CTF 151 was established as a multinational task force in January 2009, and is one of five operational task forces under CMF. In conjunction with the European Union Naval Force (EUNAVFOR), and together with independently deployed naval ships, CTF 151 helps to patrol the Internationally Recommended Transit Corridor.
CMF’s other task forces include CTF 150, which conducts maritime security operations outside the Arabian Gulf against threats from no-state actors; CTF 152, dedicated to maritime security in the Arabian Gulf; CTF 153, providing maritime security in the Red Sea; and CTF 154, which delivers maritime training.
CMF headquartered in Bahrain with U.S. Naval Forces Central Command and U.S. 5th Fleet, is the largest multinational naval partnership in the world, with 46 nations committed to upholding the international rules-based order at sea. It promotes security, stability and prosperity across approximately 3.2 million square miles of international waters, encompassing some of the world’s most important shipping lanes.
NSA BAHRAIN MENTAL HEALTH ROADMAP
There’s no wrong door to start—we’ll get you to the right place!
FRIENDS, FAMILY, CHAIN OF COMMAND
- Your main resource is your existing support system
- If not supportive, tell another trusted resource or command
- Acting as friends, family, and shipmates, remember the main factors that ensure resilience: A sense of Belongingness and Purposefulness
MILITARY & FAMILY LIFE
COUNSELING
973-3844-2705 (Ms. Kim) / 973-3950-9316 (Ms. Meliza) Select units with dedicated embedded providers
- Non-medical counseling
- Flexible counseling locations
- Minimal reporting requirements
- No health record documentation
CHAPLAINS
439-4303 / 1785-4303
DutyChaplain +973-3947-9681
- 100% confidential
- For religious and non-religious, chaplains facilitate for all
- More than spiritual: morality, grief, trauma, loss, identity, purpose, etc
- No referral needed
- No health record documentation
MILITARY ONESOURCE
Contact: 1- 800- 342- 9647 / MilitaryOneSource.mil
- Life skills, financial, stress, coping skills, and couples counseling
- Non-medical counseling via phone/VTC
- No referral needed
- No health record documentation
EMBEDDED MENTAL HEALTH
- Providers/teams stationed at select units
- Make military duty determinations
- Keep you “fit to fight” and medically ready
- Evaluate and treat mental disorders with therapy and medications
- May communicate with CO/medical providers
- Health record documentation
EMERGENCY SERVICES
- Contact your unit’s CDO, Medical Department Representative, or a trusted shipmate
- Base Dispatch: 439-4911
- Emergency Services Off-Base: 999
- Suicide Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255
- Go to the nearest emergency room
FLEET & FAMILY SUPPORT CENTER
NSA-I Building 100; 439-9796 / 1785-9796
- Individual counseling for life skills, finances, stress, coping skills, and couples counseling
- Non-medical counseling
- No referral needed
- Virtual Counseling (scan QR code) 1-855-205-6749
COMMAND MEDICAL DEPARTMENT
- IDC, “Doc,” Medical Department Representative
- May communicate with CO/medical providers
- Medication management for most concerns
- Places referrals for more serious conditions
- Health record documentation
NAVAL BRANCH HEALTH CLINIC
Primary Care (Medical Home Port) via Tricare Online or Appointment Line 439-6110 / 1785-6110
Specialty Care (Behavioral Health) 439-4169 / 1785-4169
Readiness Clinic: 0730-0930 Sun-Thu; No appointment necessary
Within one business day: evaluation/referral to right place on roadmap
- Medical psychotherapy and medication management, Group treatment, SARP, Comprehensive care
- Health record documentation,
- Consults among providers
- CO may request information
RAMADAN BEYOND ABSTINENCE FROM FOOD AND DRINK.
By Chaplain Bawa A. Lengani, Group Chaplain MCM Group Five.
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar. It’s beginning and ending is determined by the sighting of the new crescent immediately after sunset on the last day of the preceding month (Sha’ban). Since the Islamic lunar months consist of 29 or 30 days depending on the sighting of the crescent, Muslims make efforts at sighting the new moon on the 29th day of Sha’ban, the eighth lunar month, by looking for it towards the western horizon, and if the new moon is sighted, the month of Ramadan begins that evening but fasting begins at the dawn of the next day. However, if the new moon is not sighted on this 29th evening of sha’ban, Muslims observe sha’ban as a complete 30 days lunar month and Ramadan begins the following day.
Why Fasting in Ramadan?
Fasting is prescribed for all “able” Muslims in the following verses of the Qur’an O believers! Fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you so, perhaps you will become mindful of Allah. (2:183).
“Ramadan is the month in which the Quran was revealed as a guide for humanity with clear proofs of guidance and the decisive authority. So whoever is present / witness this month, let them fast. But whoever is ill or on a journey, then let them fast an equal number of days after Ramadan. Allah intends ease for you, not hardship, so that you may complete the prescribed period and proclaim the greatness of Allah for guiding you, and perhaps you will be grateful...” 2:185.
Fasting (Sawm):
Accordingly, the month of Ramadan is called the month of the Quran; therefore, Muslims have tradition of reciting Quran frequently in this month.
The Islamic fasting begins at dawn and ends at sunset daily. Muslims rise before dawn, eat Suhur (pre-dawn meal), and drink liquids to commence the Sawm (fasting). Eating and drinking stops at dawn. During the day no eating, drinking or sexual activity is permitted. Muslims must also adhere to the moral code of Islam very strictly especially during fasting as failure may invalidate a believer’s fasting. Fasting teaches reinforcement of faith, self-control over hunger, thirst, and sexual urges. It provides a training opportunity to be a good moral person, it helps the believer to measures his or her level of sincerity to the Creator. It also helps in increasing mindfulness of God’s blessings, and serves as an important reminder to the believers’ of the conditions of the less privileged in our society.
Fasting is prescribed with Devine guidance to enable the continuation of socioeconomic activities during fasting. This means that Muslims may conduct businesses during Ramadan. However, in most Muslim countries daily working hours are shortened by a couple of hours and business hours by be shifted to facilitate comfort for those fasting.
The fast is broken immediately after sunset, usually by eating dates and drinking water or juice. However, any lawful food or drink may be used to break the fast. This is followed by the Maghrib salah (the prayer after sunset) which is followed by a complete meal. After a brief rest Muslims go to the mosque to offer the Isha salah (night prayer) and then a special night prayer, called Taraweeh. Because the Qur’an was reveal in the month of Ramadan, Most Mosques and Islamic centers recite pages of the Qur’an per night during the taraweeh prayers with the goal of completing the recitation of the entire Qur’an by the end of Ramadan.
Ramadan is a unifier that fosters generosity and a sense community. Members of the Islamic community are more generous, more cordial, and friendlier during Ramadan than other times of the year. The poor and the needy receive food, clothing and money from members of the community. Most mosques and Islamic centers prepare an open space where meals for daily breaking of the fast are brought by members of the community in an atmosphere of a friendly pot luck dinner every evening of this month.
Laylat al-Qadr:
This is the night of the Qadr. The term Al- Qadr has been frequently translated as "the power". A better translation may be "the decree" because Allah says the value of this night is better than one thousand months and Allah sends His decrees during this night. And most importantly, this is the night when the Quran was revealed. Allah says in the Quran chapter 97 verses 3 to5:” (3) The Night of Decree is better than a thousand months. (4)The angels and the Spirit descend therein by permission of their Lord for every matter. (5) Peace it is until the emergence of dawn” (Qur’an 97:3-5). This blessed night is believed to be one of the last ten nights of Ramadan. As such, Muslims intensify supplications and night prayers during the last ten nights of Ramadan, with the hope that their supplications and acts of worship may coincide with the blessed night of decree. Most Muslim countries facilitate flexibility by ensuring that Schools are closed from the 27th of Ramadan (the 9th Islamic month) through the 2nd of Shawwal (the 10th Islamic month) to enable believers observe Laylat al-Qadr and celebrate Eid al-Fitr (The end of Ramadan Cerebrations).
New MOVIES at the MWR Cinema
Den
Captain America: Brave New World (PG-13) – 1h 58m
Sam Wilson, the new Captain America, finds himself in the middle of an international incident and must discover the motive behind a nefarious global plan. Cast | Harrison Ford, Liv Tyler, Rosa Salazar, Giancarlo Esposito, Anthony Mackie
of Thieves 2: Pantera (R) – 2h 24m
Big Nick is back on the hunt in Europe and closing in on Donnie, who is embroiled in the treacherous world of diamond thieves and the infamous Panther mafia, as they plot a massive heist of the world's largest diamond exchange.
Cast | Gerard Butler, O’Shea Jackson Jr., Evin Ahmad
A
One of Them Days (R) – 1h 59m
When best friends and roommates Dreux and Alyssa discover Alyssa's boyfriend has blown their rent money, the duo finds themselves going to extremes in a race against the clock to avoid eviction and keep their friendship intact. Cast | Keke Palmer, SZA, Vanessa Bell Calloway, Lil Rel Howery, Katt Williams
Complete Unknown (R) – 2h 15m
At the Newport Folk Festival in 1965, a young Bob Dylan shakes up his act on the folk music scene by going electric and siring rock as the voice of a generation - defining one of the most transformative moments in 20th century music.
Cast | Timothe Chalamet, Monica Barbaro, Elle Fanning, Edward Norton Scoot McNairy
Nosferatu (R) – 2h 12m
A gothic tale of obsession between a haunted young woman and the terrifying vampire infatuated with her, causing untold horror in its wake. Cast | Lily-Rose Depp, Nicholas Hoult, Bill Skarsgard
Paddington in Peru (PG) – 1h 46m
Paddington returns to Peru to visit his beloved Aunt Lucy, who now resides at the Home for Retired Bears. With the Brown family in tow, a thrilling adventure ensues when a mystery plunges them into an unexpected journey. Cast | Hugh Bonneville, Emily Mortimer, Ben Whishaw, Imelda Staunton, Oliver Maltman
