Photo By Chief Petty Officer Robert Inverso | President George W. Bush speaks with service members at Naval Support Activity...... read more read more
Subscribe
From Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/ 5th Fleet Public Affairs
MANAMA, Bahrain – President Bush was greeted by applauding Sailors at Naval Support Activity Bahrain, home of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/5th Fleet headquarters, Jan. 13, marking the first visit to the island by a U.S. president.
Bush enjoyed breakfast with a representative group of the 25,000 Sailors serving in Bahrain and the 5th Fleet area of operations. Afterward, he spoke to the troops and took time to greet each individual.
"On behalf of a grateful nation, I want thank you for your service to your country," Bush said. "I am in the presence of some of the finest men and women that our country has to offer."
Bush previously visited Israel, the Palestinian territories and Kuwait before arriving in Bahrain and will continue his tour of the Middle East with visits to the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia.
NAVCENT/5th Fleet's mission is to conduct and support Maritime Security Operations in the region; perform visit, board, search and seizure; protect key infrastructure nodes; deter and disrupt piracy; assist mariners in distress; provide humanitarian assistance and conduct combat operations.
NAVCENT/5th Fleet's AOO encompasses about 7.5 million square miles and includes the Arabian Gulf, Red Sea, Gulf of Oman and parts of the Indian Ocean. This expanse, comprised of 27 countries, includes three critical chokepoints at the Strait of Hormuz, the Suez Canal and the Strait of Bab al Mandeb at the southern tip of Yemen.
Operations in the 5th Fleet AOO are focused on reassuring regional partners of the coalition's commitment to help set conditions for security and stability. U.S. forces maintain a naval and air presence in the region that deters destabilizing activities, while safeguarding the region's vital links to the global economy.
The flexibility and capability of U.S. and coalition countries make them well-positioned to respond to any potential emergent situations. Through operations and training with regional partners, NAVCENT/5th Fleet forces enhance existing cooperative relationships with an aim to support regional countries' struggles against violent extremists.
| Date Taken: | 01.14.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 01.14.2008 10:13 |
| Story ID: | 15408 |
| Location: |
| Web Views: | 276 |
| Downloads: | 218 |
This work, President Bush Visits Sailors in Bahrain, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
