Bahrain Desert Times (494) - May 2023

NSA Bahrain Environmental Team makes a difference for Earth Day 2023

In celebration of Earth Day 2023, the Naval Support Activity (NSA) Bahrain’s Environmental Team hosted several events around the installation and in the local community to promote environmental stewardship not only in observance of the day but throughout the year.

The first event, hosted by the NSA Recycling Program, was an informational booth that distributed flyers and handed out reusable shopping bags to participants in an effort to help the NSA community reduce the use of plastic bags on the installation. They also highlighted the environmental compliance and conservation programs that are ongoing throughout the year. 132 volunteers participated in a blind water taste test comparing drinking water produced on the installation versus bottled water. The number of participants who preferred the installation’s drinking water compared to bottled water was a staggering 75%, demonstrating the quality of water produced on NSA Bahrain and convincing many to switch from expensive bottled water.

NSA Bahrain’s Environmental Team also hosted a tree planting event on NSA I and II. One such tree was a Date Palm tree planted near Building 100 in support of the base’s greening goal by using reject water from drinking water production for irrigation. This creatively reuses a water resource

that otherwise would be sent for wastewater treatment. In conjunction with the tree planting efforts across the installation, the NSA Environmental Team provided a horticulture planting workshop at the Bahrain School. 50 students in grades 8-10 participated in the workshop using materials provided by the NSA Recycling Program with instructions given by volunteers from the Bahrain Garden Club.

The final event hosted by the NSA Environmental Team saw them co-sponsoring an off-base cleanup effort at Karbabad Beach, the first partnership with the Kingdom of Bahrain in over 20 years. Over 60 volunteers from the Supreme Council for Environment, Bahrain Capital Municipal Council, and the U.S. Navy joined hands for this event. The Sailor 360 organization helped to coordinate gathering military volunteers that included the NSA Bahrain’s Commanding Officer and Public Works Officer. The combined efforts of all the volunteers contributed to the collection of over 500 pounds of debris from the beach, a large portion of which was plastic waste. Their efforts helped to prevent this plastic waste from reaching the open ocean, where it has a negative impact on a multitude of ocean ecosystems. This event highlighted a unique bi-lateral cooperative opportunity providing immediate conservation benefit to our host nation’s environmental resources while demonstrating the US Navy’s commitment to environmental stewardship.

Task Force 51/5 Conducts Joint Training with U.S. Army Crisis Response Task Force in Northern Arabian Gulf

Northern Arabian Gulf –

Earlier this week, Soldiers assigned to Task Force Spartan, U.S. Army Central Command’s Crisis Response Task Force (CRTF), trained with Marines and Sailors assigned to Naval Amphibious Task Force 51/5th Marine Expeditionary Brigade (TF 51/5) aboard Expeditionary Sea Base USS Lewis B. Puller (ESB-3) to better enable crisis response options and joint-service interoperability within United States Central Command (CENTCOM).

"This week our combined arms CRTF consisting of aviation and infantry elements joined together with our partners in the U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps to conduct deck landing qualifications and marksmanship training,” said U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Mark McCormack, Commanding General of Task Force Spartan. “This Joint Service training is vital to maintaining critical response capabilities in the

CENTCOM Area of Operations for any potential employment and real-world crisis reaction. Task Force Spartan, the sailors of the USS Lewis B. Puller, and the Marines of MARCENT, are a lethal and ready force prepared to defend all national interests in the region."

Soldiers from Task Force Spartan operated aboard the Puller for eight days, culminating with a mock air assault originating from the ship. Not only did this training allow for pilots

from Task Force Spartan’s aviation element to increase proficiency in landing and taking off from an underway U.S. Navy vessel, but the CRTF’s infantry element was afforded a unique opportunity to train and operate within a naval environment.

“Here in CENTCOM it’s vital that our joint services stay proficient at operating together” said U.S. Marine Corps Brigadier General Matthew S. Reid, Commanding General of TF 51/5. “Over the last year or

so we’ve worked with our U.S. Army partners to achieve this and we’ve had some great results. This last week in particular their pilots, aircrew and infantry got to experience life and operations aboard an embarked Navy vessel, while our Sailors and Marines got to practice planning, logistics, and support to our Army brothers and sisters,” he said. “At the end of the day, this kind of training only gives us more flexibility in responding to crises, deterring external threats,

and supporting our partners together in the region”.

This week’s events were not the first time TF 51/5 and Task Force Spartan collaborated on training together. Over the last several years, multiple training events of a similar size and scope have been conducted by the U.S. Army aboard the USS Puller.

Task Force Spartan is a unique, multi-component organization, made up of Active Army and National Guard units, and rounded out by U.S. Army Reserve

support units. Through Operation Spartan Shield (OSS), Task Force Spartan maintains a U.S. military posture in Southwest Asia sufficient to strengthen U.S. defense relationships and build partner capacity.

The Puller is forwarddeployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet (C5F) area of operations to extend U.S. Naval Forces Central Command’s maritime reach.

The Puller supports counterpiracy operations, maritime security operations, humanitarian aid, disaster relief and crisis response operations.

During steady-state operations the Puller falls under tactical command of TF 51/5, a crisis responsecapable headquarters that is led by a cadre of U.S. Marine Corps and Navy professionals.

The Puller makes TF 51/5 unique in its ability to organically support amphibious operations within CENTCOM and is one of the few U.S. Navy vessels in the world to fall under tactical control of a U.S. Marine Corps general officer.

Task Force 51/5 Joint Terminal Attack Controllers increase capability with U.S. Coast Guard, Air Force and Navy partners

Late last week Naval

Amphibious Task Force 51/5th Marine Expeditionary Bridge (TF 51/5) Joint Terminal Attack Controllers (JTAC) embarked on Bahrain-based U.S. Coast Guard fast-response cutters to conduct joint training with both U.S. Navy and U.S. Air Force aircraft in the Northern Arabian Gulf. The training involved five U.S. Coast Guard vessels and a group of Marine JTACs who sharpened their tactical skills by controlling U.S. Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II and U.S. Navy P-8 Poseidon aircraft.

“This was an excellent opportunity for all five crews to be shown the potential of joint maritime and air operations” said U.S. Coast Guard LT Sehng Hwang, Commanding Officer

of U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Clarence Sutphin, Jr. “It really allowed us all to see the specific lethal capability that something like the A-10 has, in tandem with capable and competent Marines and Sailors when deployed to the region”.

In addition to its steady-state mission of maintaining readiness as a

crisis-response task force, Task Force 51/5 advances naval integration in support of the Tri-Service Maritime Strategy. Published jointly in 2020 by the Commandant of the Marine Corps, Chief of Naval Operations, and Commandant of the Coast Guard, the Tri-Service Maritime Strategy outlines an integrated U.S. Marine

Corps, U.S. Navy, U.S. Coast Guard approach towards supporting Department of Defense maritime prerogatives.

“Joint training like this only delivers greater flexibility and options for crisis response in this theater” said Brig. Gen. Matthew Reid, TF 51/5’s Commanding General. “As

Marines, we are always looking for ways to support joint maritime efforts and, in this case, we were able to take things a step further by working with our Air Force partners. Altogether, this helps the Marine Corps better support regional security and demonstrates that we’re able to work together with joint partners

to deter external threats”.

The training culminated on Friday with a live fire attack by U.S. Air Force A-10s onto sea targets, in conjunction with highvalue target seizure, fast intruder attack craft, and visit, board search and seizure (VBSS) exercises conducted by embarked U.S. Coast Guard and Navy forces.

TF 51/5 is a Bahrainbased Joint Task ForceCapable (JTF-C) Headquarters that responds to crises and contingencies; coordinates, plans, and executes operations; conducts theater security cooperation; and advances emerging Naval concepts at sea, from the sea, and ashore in support of U.S. Central Command, Fifth Fleet and Marine Forces Central Command theater objectives.

NAVCENT Holds Holocaust Remembrance Ceremony

who endured tragic and unthinkable circumstances at the hands of antisemitism, we also honor the perseverance, courage and strength of those who survived,” said Bailey during remarks at the ceremony. “We must reject prejudice, we must reject hate speech and we must reject antisemitism.”

The Holocaust was a systemic genocide, killing six million Jews and millions of others from 1938 to 1945, before and during World War II. Guest speaker, U.S. Ambassador to Bahrain Steven Bondy, noted the unimaginable perils victims and survivors faced.

chaplain for U.S. 5th Fleet Task Force 52, spoke at the ceremony and described an encounter he had 15 years ago with a Holocaust survivor.

“I was in Prague and met a Holocaust survivor who was liberated from a camp 45 miles outside of the city, and he took me there and showed me the camp from his perspective,” said Ceitlin. “He showed me what he actually experienced. It was a surreal moment that brought an unimaginable experience to life. It made it real.”

By NAVCENT Public Affairs

U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT) held a Holocaust remembrance ceremony at the U.S. Navy base in Bahrain, April 30, to honor and remember the victims and survivors.

Members of the U.S. diplomatic and

military community in Bahrain attended and participated in the remembrance ceremony, including the U.S. ambassador to Bahrain and Rear Adm. Sean Bailey, deputy commander of NAVCENT and U.S. 5th Fleet.

“As we remember innocent victims

“Families were erased. Mothers and fathers, brothers and sisters, children and grandchildren, were brutally murdered,” said Bondy. “The reverberations of these crimes against humanity live in our collective memory because we made a deliberate effort to report, study and teach people about the Holocaust. All driven by an unshakable commitment –‘never again.’”

This year’s Department of the Navy theme for Holocaust remembrance was “Home and Belonging,” to highlight the humanity of victims and survivors. Lt.

Bailey also honored the 550,000 Jewish men and women who served in the U.S. military with distinction during World War II. Some were captured and placed in concentration camps, 10,000 died in combat and 36,000 received citations for valor.

“Jewish American warfighters maintained their resilience and courage,” said Bailey.

NAVCENT includes 8,000 American personnel and families stationed in Bahrain and operating in 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

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The SAPR Team is an integral part of creating a culture of excellence within this AOR. We want to thank each of you for all you have done for prevention during SAAPM 2023 and throughout the year. You are the best of the best!!!!!!

Big shout out to our partners MWR, PAO, and AFN!

Stephanie (Installation SARC) and Quashekia (Support SARC)

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

The Bahrain Desert Times is an authorized publication primarily for members of the Navy and Marine Corps military services in Bahrain. Its contents do not necessarily reflect the official views of the U.S. Government, the Department of Defense, the U.S. Navy or Marine Corps and do not imply endorsement thereof.

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New MOVIES at the MWR Cinema

The Super Mario Bros. Movie (PG) – 1h 32m

With help from Princess Peach, Mario gets ready to square off against the all-powerful Bowser to stop his plans from conquering the world. | Cast: Chris Pratt, Anya Taylor-Joy, Jack Black, Charles Martinet

65 (PG-13) – 1h 33m

After a catastrophic crash on an unknown planet, pilot Mills quickly discovers he's actually stranded on Earth -- 65 million years ago. Now, with only one chance at a rescue, Mills and the only other survivor, Koa, must make their way across an unknown terrain riddled with dangerous prehistoric creatures. | Cast: Adam Driver, Ariana Greenblatt, Chloe Coleman, Alexandra Shipp

John Wick: Chapter 4 (R) – 2h 49m

With the price on his head ever increasing, legendary hit man John Wick takes his fight against the High Table global as he seeks out the most powerful players in the underworld, from New York to Paris to Japan to Berlin. | Cast: Keanu Reeves, Scott Adkins, Donnie Yen, Lance Reddick

Air (R) – 1h 51m

Sonny Vaccaro and Nike pursue basketball rookie Michael Jordan, creating a partnership that revolutionizes the world of sports and contemporary culture. | Cast: Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, Sonny Vaccaro, Chris Tucker

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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.

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)

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

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