Navy Families Start Visting Their Loved Ones Deployed In Bahrain
Sandeep Singh Grewal
January 09, 2009
Manama, Bahrain-2009 has certainly bought joy for family members of Defense personnel assigned in Bahrain since they were asked to leave four years ago.
This was witnessed here as about 60-80 families visited the country during the holidays to spend time with their loved ones deployed in the island.
Commander Jane Campbell, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT), Public Affairs Officer said, “ There was several families who were able to visit their people assigned in Bahrain in the past three weeks. They also got a chance to see the Kingdom.”
In 2004, dependents were asked to leave the Kingdom which hosts the US Navy Fifth Fleet, immediately due to security concerns. Military officials were issued a "stop-movement" order for all dependent personnel going to Bahrain.Close to 1,000 US military dependents were ordered to leave on “temporary relocation” to the United States.
The US Department of State issued a travel warning on July 2004 in which it stated- "The department has received information that extremists are planning attacks against US and other Western interests in the Kingdom of Bahrain.”
US officials were reviewing on the feasibility of returning dependents of US service members to Bahrain. In November, the authorities finally gave a green light for relocation of families of servicemen assigned in the Kingdom.
Adult family members are now packing their bags to reunite with their loved ones while others are waiting for a nod form the authorities. Commander Jane further added that the Bureau of Naval Personnel website had over 3000 hits from visitors who also downloaded the documents for the Family relocation.
Vice Adm. Bill Gortney, Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT) said, “The return of our adult family members reinforces the security and stability of the region, demonstrates our commitment to Bahrain. It will make the quality of life for our service members and Department of Defense civilians even better.”
However, school –age dependent or below this age are not covered under the decision to return, and will be considered at a later date, after the Department of Defense Education Activity completes its supplemental support review.
The US Naval base in Juffair, a recently developed district in the capital is home to over 3,000 naval and civilian personnel. Most of them stay off base but enlisted sailors with a rank of E-3 and below have to stay in the barracks on base.
This was witnessed here as about 60-80 families visited the country during the holidays to spend time with their loved ones deployed in the island.
Commander Jane Campbell, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT), Public Affairs Officer said, “ There was several families who were able to visit their people assigned in Bahrain in the past three weeks. They also got a chance to see the Kingdom.”
In 2004, dependents were asked to leave the Kingdom which hosts the US Navy Fifth Fleet, immediately due to security concerns. Military officials were issued a "stop-movement" order for all dependent personnel going to Bahrain.Close to 1,000 US military dependents were ordered to leave on “temporary relocation” to the United States.
The US Department of State issued a travel warning on July 2004 in which it stated- "The department has received information that extremists are planning attacks against US and other Western interests in the Kingdom of Bahrain.”
US officials were reviewing on the feasibility of returning dependents of US service members to Bahrain. In November, the authorities finally gave a green light for relocation of families of servicemen assigned in the Kingdom.
Adult family members are now packing their bags to reunite with their loved ones while others are waiting for a nod form the authorities. Commander Jane further added that the Bureau of Naval Personnel website had over 3000 hits from visitors who also downloaded the documents for the Family relocation.
Vice Adm. Bill Gortney, Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT) said, “The return of our adult family members reinforces the security and stability of the region, demonstrates our commitment to Bahrain. It will make the quality of life for our service members and Department of Defense civilians even better.”
However, school –age dependent or below this age are not covered under the decision to return, and will be considered at a later date, after the Department of Defense Education Activity completes its supplemental support review.
The US Naval base in Juffair, a recently developed district in the capital is home to over 3,000 naval and civilian personnel. Most of them stay off base but enlisted sailors with a rank of E-3 and below have to stay in the barracks on base.
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