Bahrain Desert Times (496) - May 2023

Intrepid Maven 23.3 begins in the United Arab Emirates

By Capt. Joseph Leitner

More than 100 Marines and Sailors, alongside partnering elements of the United Arab Emirates Armed Forces, are participating in Exercise Intrepid Maven 23.3, set to occur at various locations within the United Arab Emirates this month.

“We are very excited for the opportunity to lead Intrepid Maven 23.3 on behalf of U.S. Marine Forces Central Command and to train with our Emirati military partners in their country,” said Brigadier General Matthew S. Reid, commander, Task Force 51/5th Marine Expeditionary Brigade (Task Force 51/5). “We’re stronger and more capable when we work together to improve conditions for security in this region, and I think this exercise will achieve exactly that” he said. “This iteration of Intrepid Maven affords us an excellent chance to strengthen our military relationship with the United Arab Emirates as well as to improve training and readiness within our own forces.”

Intrepid Maven 23.3 marks the second time CENTCOM has conducted an Intrepid Maven exercise

with our partners in the UAE.

As a subordinate element of U.S. Marine Corps Forces Central Command, Task Force 51/5 will provide overall exercise control for Intrepid Maven 23.3. Task Force 51/5 is a Joint Task Force-capable headquarters forward stationed in Bahrain that is led by a Marine Corps Brigadier General and staffed by Marine Corps and Navy professionals. Task Force 51/5 regularly conducts Theater Security Cooperation exercises with partner nations on behalf of United States Central Command (CENTCOM), in line with the 2022 National Defense Strategy.

Exercise Intrepid Maven is a U.S. Marine Corps Forces Central Command-conceptualized and implemented exercise series designed in late 2021, with the first iteration having occurred in Jordan in March 2022. The series, to include IM 23.3, is designed to strengthen partnerships, produce training opportunities, contribute

to interoperability, and improve conditions for regional security. Episodic in nature, Intrepid Maven, which occurs with anywhere from one to any of a number of partner nations during each iteration, is a force deploymenttailored training series designed to demonstrate persistence in partnering; to prepare for the demands of a volatile and fluid AOR; to conduct unit-level training in new and challenging areas, spaces and facilities; and to demonstrate service ability to project forces to meet emergent requirements, all with the objective of gaining and maintaining unit readiness, deterring malicious adversary intent and demonstrating global responsiveness for crisisresponse and contingencies.

Intrepid Maven 23.3 is the seventh iteration of Exercise Intrepid Maven and will include training in expeditionary airfield operations, close-air support, and infantry-based small-arms employment and maneuver.

By NAVCENT Public Affairs

Vice Adm. Brad Cooper, commander of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT), U.S. 5th Fleet and Combined Maritime Forces, spoke with Joint Commander of the French Forces Deployed in the Indian Ocean (ALINDIEN)

Vice Adm. Emmanuel Slaars during a video call, May 13.

The leaders discussed opportunities for NAVCENT and ALINDIEN joint forces to enhance regional cooperation together, as NAVCENT works with allies and partners to bolster maritime security collaboration.

In coordination with French assets operating in the area, the United States is increasing the rotation of ships and aircraft patrolling in and around the Strait of Hormuz after Iran’s recent unlawful merchant vessel seizures.

NAVCENT’s area of operations encompasses approximately 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 Strait of Bab al Mandeb.

Photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Jacob Vernier

U.S. 5th Fleet Awards Sailors for Aiding Car Crash Victims in Oman

By NAVCENT Public Affairs

U.S. 5th Fleet awarded four Sailors, May 10, to honor them for providing assistance to four victims of a car accident in Oman last month.

Vice Adm. Brad Cooper, commander of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command, U.S. 5th Fleet and Combined Maritime Forces, presented awards to three Navy divers and a medical corpsman during a ceremony at the U.S. Embassy in Muscat, Oman.

Chief Navy Diver Davin Jameson was traveling on a highway in Oman with

three other Sailors, April 23, when they spotted four victims of a car accident who needed medical assistance. Without hesitation, Jameson along with Navy Diver 2nd Class Nicolas Arpaia, Navy Diver 2nd Class Benjamin Ching and Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Alec White, stopped to help.

“Being of service that afternoon was a humbling experience,” said Jameson. “The corpsman on our team is trained for a lot of different scenarios, but it was the first time the rest of us were responding to an

emergency situation like this.”

While waiting for Omani medical services to arrive, the team provided first aid to the victims suffering from shock, heat stress and traumatic injuries. Although one of the accident victims died due to the severity of his injuries, the Navy dive team’s life-saving efforts were crucial to the survival of the other three.

“It made me appreciate the training we do because it made responding to the crash much easier,” said Jameson.

The Sailors are members of U.S. 5th

Fleet’s task force for expeditionary combat forces that operate across the Middle East. Expeditionary combat forces specialize in explosive ordnance disposal (EOD), naval coastal warfare, naval construction, expeditionary intelligence and expeditionary logistics support.

The U.S. 5th Fleet operating area includes 21 countries, the Arabian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, Red Sea, parts of the Indian Ocean and three critical choke points at the Strait of Hormuz, Bab al-Mandeb and Suez Canal.

Navy Gold Star Program Honors the Fallen & Their Families, this May

Courtesy story from Stephanie Hunter, Navy Gold Star

In October 2014, Commander, Navy Installations Command (CNIC) established the Navy’s long-term survivor support assistance program, the Navy Gold Star Program. Throughout the year, program coordinators work to coordinate special events for survivors, connect and brief Active Duty service members, conduct speeches for various organizations and media, as well as develop relationships with organizations in order to offer additional resources on behalf of survivors, but the month of May is just a bit different.

Memorial Day is synonymous with the unofficial kick off to summer, barbecues and a long holiday weekend, however Memorial Day was created as a day of remembrance to honor those who have paid the ultimate price to ensure our freedom. Originally known as Decoration Day, it was dedicated to honoring the fallen after the Civil War and that tradition remained until WWI when it evolved to honoring all who gave their lives in service to our country. Memorial Day was established as a federal holiday in 1971.

The Navy Gold Star Program dedicates the entire month of May to increasing awareness of the program and the families it supports by educating the community and honoring the service members who have died while serving on Active Duty and their loved ones left behind. We want our Survivors and our communities to know that Gold Star Families and their Fallen Service Members are always REMEMBERED, HONORED, and RESPECTED.

This May, Navy Gold Star Coordinators have been working hard to ensure our Gold Star Families and their

loved ones are never forgotten. The Navy Gold Star Coordinator for Florida, Ken Moreland, kicked off Gold Star Awareness Month in collaboration with Navy Morale Welfare and Recreation (MWR) at NAS Jacksonville Florida, Mulligans Golf Course, and the MWR Fitness Center with Remembrance Events. Photos of the fallen were placed at the Commanding Officer's Headquarters building and at the tee boxes of each hole throughout the golf course in remembrance of the Fallen as well as on treadmills within a MWR fitness center for a Run for the Fallen fitness activity that is ongoing for the month of May. In addition

to these static displays, several naval bases across the state of Florida and around the South East region will also be hosting 5K Remembrance Runs as part of campaign efforts.

At Naval Air Station Corpus Christi (NASCC), Gold Star Coordinator, Susanna Del Llano, worked in conjunction with CMC Carlos Gonzalez and the NASCC Chief’s mess to align Lexington Dr., the main road coming into the installation with flags. On Friday, 28 April, a group of 15 Sailor’s placed 174 United States Flags in honor of each of the Active Duty Sailors who died in 2022. At Naval Support Activity Washington, in Washington D.C., the Navy Gold Star Coordinator, Patsy Jackson, coordinated with Naval District Washington command staff to invite Gold Star Families to the 1 May Naval District Washington Proclamation Signing, where RADM Nancy Lacore read and signed the Proclamation to designate May as Gold Star Awareness Month. These are just a few of the many activities designated to Honor and Remember the Fallen and the Loved Ones left behind.

As we head towards Memorial Day, please take a moment to recognize the sacrifices that Gold Star Family members make when their father, mother, brother, sister, son, daughter, or other loved one dies in service to the nation. Help us let Gold Star Families know that they and their Fallen Heroes are Never Forgotten. For more information on the Navy Gold Star Program please visit www.navygoldstar.com or www.facebook.com/navygoldstar or call 888-509-8759.

Photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Anita Chebahtah

International Maritime Security Construct Holds Change of Command

By NAVCENT Public Affairs

The International Maritime Security Construct (IMSC) headquarters held a change of command ceremony at the U.S. Navy base in Bahrain between two officers from United Kingdom’s Royal Navy, May 17.

Royal Navy Commodore Peter Laughton assumed command of IMSC from Commodore Ben Aldous who served as commander since August 2022.

IMSC was formed in July 2019 in response to increased threats to freedom of navigation for merchant mariners transiting international waters in the Middle East. Coalition Task Force (CTF) Sentinel, IMSC’s operational arm, was established four months later. The task force monitors and operates in key regional maritime chokepoints.

“My time with IMSC and CTF Sentinel has been nothing short of astounding,” said Aldous. “Leading such a diverse team with such broad expertise has been humbling and I continue to be amazed by

the commitment and professionalism of all our partners. We are truly an international response to an international problem impacting some of the world’s most strategic waterways.”

Laughton has served in the Royal Navy for 25 years and most recently led Royal Navy’s Military Diving Capability Cell at Navy Command Headquarters.

“I've been lucky enough to command in every rank since lieutenant, from a patrol vessel all the way to the Royal Navy Flagship,” Laughton said. “But IMSC is thus far the pinnacle of my career in so many ways.”

Headquartered in Bahrain, IMSC promotes collaboration among member nations to deter threats and reassure regional mariners in and around the Strait of Hormuz and Bab al-Mandeb. Current members include Albania, Bahrain, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Seychelles, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom and United States.

UK Frigate Patrolling for CTF 150 Seizes $6 Million Drug Shipment

By NAVCENT Public Affairs

A frigate from the United Kingdom Royal Navy seized $6 million worth of hashish from a fishing vessel transiting the Arabian Sea, May 8.

HMS Lancaster (F 229) was operating in support of Combined Task Force (CTF) 150 when it discovered 3,000 kilograms of hashish on the smuggling vessel. The seizure occurred the same day the U.S. Coast Guard confiscated large quantities

of methamphetamines and heroin from another fishing vessel while patrolling the Gulf of Oman under CTF 150.

“I am exceptionally proud of my team for their efforts,” said Cmdr. Tom Johnson, Lancaster’s commanding officer. “This success is shared with our international partners in CTF 150 who provided essential support to the operation.”

Currently led by the United Kingdom, CTF 150 is one of four task forces that

form Combined Maritime Forces, the largest multinational naval partnership in the world. Efforts by CTF 150 in the Middle East this year have resulted in drug seizures worth a combined estimated U.S. street value of more than $250 million.

CTF 150 conducts maritime security and counter-terrorism operations in the Gulf of Oman and Indian Ocean to disrupt criminal and terrorist organizations and

their related illicit activities, including the movement of personnel, weapons, narcotics and charcoal. These efforts help ensure legitimate commercial shipping transits the region free from non-state threats.

Combined Maritime Forces includes 38 nations and is headquartered in Bahrain with U.S. Naval Forces Central Command and U.S. 5th Fleet.

Photo by Spc. James Webster

Photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Elliot Schaudt

439-4520

www.cnic.navy.mil/bahrain

Commanding Officer

Naval Support Activity Bahrain

Capt. William Lane

NSA Bahrain Executive Officer

Cmdr. Ernesto Rivera

Public Affairs Officer

Chief Editor

Lt. Nicolas Mahone

Deputy Public Affairs Officer

Mark C. Mosher

Mass Communication Specialist

1st Class Sean Gallagher

Host Nation Public Affairs Director Ameera Al-Kooheji

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It's great to be a member of the most elite and powerful military today. The best trained, prepared, and arguable the most ready fighting force especially after World War II. This is because we put our money where our mouth is, in other words, we pay to be the best. We are one the most powerful military in the world, and the proof is recorded in the annals of those who have tested our resolved, those who have started conflicts and those who choose to terrorize Americans or our assets and have paid dearly for their actions or miscalculations. To paraphrase George Orwell, “The American People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because our armed forces stand ready to do violence on their behalf.”

Furthermore, since 9-11, the reputation and popularity of military members have increased among Americans. Personally, I have enjoyed the privilege of getting upgraded on flights, offered drinks, coffee and meals, as well as numerous discounts from buying a car, at Footlocker and a mom and pop taco store in Texas. Some may say, it’s a great time to be in the armed forces. Yet over the last three years we have been distinguished for other infamous reasons. The mental health of our personnel is an urgent challenge for the institution. Death by suicide has risen over the last three years for military members in all branches. Furthermore, in the first quarter of this year we are on track to surpass last year`s record breaking numbers.

So, what can we do about it? First, we need to do our part by making sure we are ready, physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. What have you done to be mentally and emotionally prepared? It's great to be driven and to put in the work for success and promotion, but when was the last time you gave yourself a mental break? We give our ships, aircrafts, subs, engines, etc., rest in their life cycle for optimal performance especially at the time to fight. When do you take your stand-down and what does that look like. We take equipment offline for maintenance, for short and long term yard periods. So, do you take your maintenance break to go fishing, play an instrument, go camping, or take a retreat to connect with your creator and your God? When is your offline period? Without this, your success cannot be achieved.

Second, invest in others! You are your brothers’ and sisters’ keepers and those who wear the cloth of our nation is the military’s greatest asset. This means looking out for yourself and each other by understanding when a break is needed. It means being conscious of the emotional challenges service members face from relationships of all kinds, the drive for success, the demands of work, leadership, and duty. Invest in others by investing in yourself to be ready and stay ready. Some ways this can be achieved are knowing the resources available to you, both in Bahrain, and wherever you are. For example, the Veterans Crisis Line, the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline number, “988 then press 1,” or taking a SafeTALK or ASIST course to name a few of the resources available. Know yourself and your people by being engaged and caring.

Lastly, let’s put our money, time and effort into our Sailors, Marines, Soldiers, Airmen, Coasties, etc. If we are going to remain the world’s best and most fearsome fighting force, we have to show them we care by taking advantage of our investments in people. Like making it priority to attend the Mental Health Campaign events being offered in our six part program. Take advantage of the investment by our leadership to provide imbedded mental health specialists, chaplains on most ships, and others being paid to provide you with relief before and in your time of distress. The best equipment without the best ready Warfighters will fail. Give yourself and service-members access to these paid professional so they can be best, ready today and when called upon.

Many faiths and others talk about, peace, shalom, Assalamu Alaikum and Walaikumussalaam, a peace that surpasses human understanding. What would that look like when you and other service members can find that peace, not just being the best trained, or physically ready, but also emotionally, mentally, and spiritually fit? When the warriors have the tools to deal with issues, and do, they have the resilience to finish the mission with honor. There is no shame in saying, "I'm not okay," or to be unabashed in turning to your faith, Chaplains, behavioral and mental health personnel, MFALCs, Fleet and Family counselors, Military One Source, etc. It is only by caring for one another that we can address the enemies wearing the other uniforms and not the enemies within our uniform services.

Chaplain Foster

New MOVIES at the MWR Cinema

The Little Mermaid (PG) – 2h 15m

The youngest of King Triton's daughters, Ariel is a beautiful and spirited young mermaid with a thirst for adventure. Longing to find out more about the world beyond the sea, Ariel visits the surface and falls for the dashing Prince Eric. Following her heart, she makes a deal with the evil sea witch, Ursula, to experience life on land. | Cast: Halle Bailey, Jonah Hauer-King, Melissa McCarthy, Jessica Alexander

Fast X (PG-13)) – 2h 21m

Over many missions and against impossible odds, Dom Toretto and his family have outsmarted and outdriven every foe in their path. Now, they must confront the most lethal opponent they've ever faced. Fueled by revenge, a terrifying threat emerges from the shadows of the past to shatter Dom's world and destroy everything -- and everyone -- he loves. | Cast: Vin Diesel, Jason Momoa, Michelle Rodriguez, Brie Larson

Evil Dead Rise (R) – 1h 36m

A reunion between two estranged sisters gets cut short by the rise of flesh-possessing demons, thrusting them into a primal battle for survival as they face the most nightmarish version of family imaginable. | Cast: Alyssa Sutherland

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (PG-13) – 2h 30m

Still reeling from the loss of Gamora, Peter Quill must rally his team to defend the universe and protect one of their own. If the mission is not completely successful, it could possibly lead to the end of the Guardians as we know them. | Cast: Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Will Poulter, Karen Gillan

Endless traditional souqs, malls and shops selling the best of Bahrain. Be prepared to barter! The Kingdom offers first-class shopping malls that cater to every consumer need. Cars, haute couture clothing, electronics, furnishings and sports equipment will likely all be found under the same roof. Free of tax, many designer labels are less expensive here than in their countries of origin. Items, such as gold and jewellery, high fashion, carpets and handicrafts can be bought for amazing deals unmatched anywhere else.

Retail Destinations

• Al A’ali Shopping Complex (Seef)

• Al Hayat Shopping Centre (Segaya)

Al Murjan Centre (Juffair)

• Bahrain Mall (Sanabis)

• BFH Harbour Mall (Manama seafront)

• City Centre Bahrain (Seef)

• Country Mall (Budaiya)

• Dana Mall (Sanabis)

• Enma Mall (Riffa)

• Gold City (Central Manama)

• Gold Souq (Central Manama)

GOSI Complex (Exhibition Ave.)

• Isa Town Mall (Isa Town)

• Juffair Mall (Juffair)

• Lulu Centre (Manama)

Marina Mall (Manama)

• Moda Mall (Manama)

• Najibi Centre (Saar)

• Oasis Centre (East Riffa/Muharraq)

• Palm Square (Budaiya)

• Ramli Mall (A’ali)

• Reem Centre (East Riffa)

• Saar Mall (Saar)

• Seef Mall (Seef District)

• Sitra Mall (Sitra)

• Yateem Centre (Manama Souq)

• The Centre (Nwaidrat)

• The Jawad Dome (Barbar)

• The Lagoon (Amwaj)

• The Walk (Riffa)

• Wadi Mall (Riffa)

Keep up with all that’s happening in the Kingdom with Bahrain This Month Be sure to check out our website, Facebook page and Instagram account or sign up for our newsletter to get the best of dining, entertainment, business and more.