Secretary of the Navy Visits NSA Bahrain

Photo By Chief Petty Officer Julian Carroll | MANAMA, Bahrain - Secretary of the Navy, the Honorable Dr. Donald C. Winter (left), and Deputy Commander U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/U.S. 5th Fleet Rear Adm. Scott H. Swift answer questions from Sailors and Department of the Navy employees during an all hands call with the staff of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/Commander 5th Fleet. Winter visited commands throughout the Middle East during the Thanksgiving holiday to thank his Sailors for service to their country. U.S. Navy photo by Chief Petty Officer Julian Carroll  

MANAMA, BAHRAIN

11.26.2006

Courtesy Story

U.S. Naval Forces Central Command / U.S. 5th Fleet           

MANAMA, Bahrain - Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV), the Honorable Dr. Donald C. Winter visited Naval Support Activity (NSA) Bahrain, Nov. 25, to meet with Sailors supporting Maritime Security Operations (MSO) in U.S. Naval Forces Central Command's area of responsibility (AOR).

The trip is the second time Winter has visited the AOR since he became SECNAV earlier this year. During his visit, Winter addressed Sailors and Department of the Navy employees at U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT).

"The first time I came out here was really an opportunity to get a better understanding of what was happening in theatre," said Winter. "This time I came out here to thank you. I also want to make sure everybody understands the kind of support the American people have for your activities in the region."

One of those activities is conducting MSO, and Winter stressed NSA Bahrain's role in supporting these operations.

"I think this is a very critical area of the world for us to be dealing with in terms of maritime security, and NSA Bahrain is the center of this activity," said Winter. "It has been a critical element of our Maritime Security Operations for many years, and I expect it will continue to do so."

MSO help set the conditions for security and stability in the maritime environment, as well as complement the counter-terrorism and security efforts of regional nations. These operations deny international terrorists use of the maritime environment as a venue for attack or to transport personnel, weapons or other material.

Winter concluded his trip by touring the base's Morale Welfare & Recreation (MWR) and Navy Exchange and commissary facilities.

Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command's AOR 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.

• Date Taken: 11.26.2006
• Date Posted: 11.29.2006 09:26
• Story ID: 8416
• Location: MANAMA, BH