Courtesy Photo | USS Norfolk (SSN 714) moored to the Mina Salman Pier in Manama, Bahrain for a week...... read more read more
By Photographer's Mate 2nd Class (AW/SW) Carolla Bennett
U.S. Naval Forces Central Command
MANAMA, Bahrain " USS Norfolk (SSN 714) made it's first ever port visit to Manama, Bahrain Jan. 16, for a weeklong interlude docking for crew liberty and mid-deployment maintenance.
The port visit marked the midpoint of Norfolk's six-month deployment as a member of USS Nassau (LHA 4) Expeditionary Strike Group 8, in support of maritime security operations (MSO) in the Arabian Gulf.
MSO set the conditions for security and stability in the maritime environment as well as complement the counter-terrorism and security efforts of regional nations. MSO also deny international terrorists use of the maritime environment as a venue for attack or to transport personnel, weapons or other material.
Cmdr. Scott Adams, commanding officer of the Los-Angeles class attack submarine, said Norfolk had been tasked with several missions this deployment.
"We have the multi-mission capability to conduct intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance type activities, whether undersea or on the surface, to provide information to the commander of the strike group," Adams said. "We can also conduct operations that would involve supporting the surface ships" role for maritime security operations."
Lt. Cmdr. Thomas Buccanan, Norfolk's executive officer, confirmed that the submarine's schedule had been hectic this deployment.
"Despite the stressful nature of our operations, and the fact that the Sailors were separated from their families over the holidays, the morale of the crew was fantastic and the port visit to Bahrain is a well deserved break," he said.
USS Norfolk's wives group contributed significantly to crew morale as well. Along with all the personal mail, the wives group had sent several boxes containing care packages and holiday goodies for the crew.
Chief Torpedoman's Mate Edwin Nixson, from Miami, Fla., said despite missing the holiday celebration at home during the season, he recognized the importance of the Norfolk's mission.
"My strategy for missing the holiday is simple. I celebrated Christmas with my family prior to our departure from Norfolk, and while forward-deployed, I celebrated Christmas with my sea-going family," said Nixson.
Machinist's Mate 2nd Class Robert Boon, a native of Mountain Lake, Minn., agreed, "The deployment is long and being away from family is hard, but overall I feel that this deployment is very important and we need to be here," he said.
"Being away from home is tough and we get lonely," agreed Chief of the Boat, Master Chief Machinist Mate Roger Meffley from Elton, Md. "But with all the challenges and activities for the crew, we keep each other motivated, because the mission we are doing out here is an important one."
| Date Taken: | 01.19.2006 |
| Date Posted: | 01.19.2006 10:55 |
| Story ID: | 5153 |
| Location: | MANAMA, BH |
| Web Views: | 319 |
| Downloads: | 65 |
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