THE Naval Support Activity (NSA) in Juffair has been recognised as one of the top five US military installations for its quality of life, mission support and energy conservation, among other parameters.
NSA Bahrain is home to US Naval Forces Central Command, US Fifth Fleet, and the 34-nation Combined Maritime Forces (CMF).
Announcing the recipients of the 2021 Commander in Chief’s Annual Award for Installation Excellence, US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin also cited Royal Air Force Lakenheath, UK; Garrison Fort Campbell, Kentucky; Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina; and Defence Supply Centre Richmond, Virginia.
The installations were judged on several areas of management, unit morale, environmental stewardship, real property management, safety, health and security, communications and public relations.
Each winning installation receives a commemorative trophy, flag and a congratulatory letter from US President Joe Biden.
The award was launched in 1985 by former US President Ronald Reagan to search for installations where Department of Defence (DoD) personnel have done the best with their resources and come up with imaginative solutions to the many complex problems they face.
NSA Bahrain supports 147 tenant commands, including four multinational task forces, and ensures security of ships, aircraft detachments, and more than 9,000 personnel.
“NSA Bahrain provided phenomenal shore support for 31 forward deployed US and coalition warships, enhancing warfighter readiness and lethality against the backdrop of increased regional tensions and the Covid-19 pandemic,” said a citation on the US base’s accomplishments.
“In 2020, NSA Bahrain supported 1,733 ship movements, 7,812 berth days, 2,641 flights, and the movement of 11,513 tonnes of cargo and 20,880 passengers.”
It also supported multiple port visits from Australia, New Zealand, Japan and the UK.
It reduced its total energy use by 1.1 per cent in 2020 compared with the same period in 2019.
“This reduction was achieved in part by increasing energy use awareness through building energy monitors.”
The citation revealed that NSA Bahrain was developing a warehouse consolidation plan that will begin implementation next year with a planned savings of $45 million in military construction costs over the next 10 to 12 years once implemented.
Other military construction projects mentioned included the $49m expansion at the Mina Salman pier, growing berthing capacity by 50pc and upgraded safety for ammunition and ordnance loading.
“NSA Bahrain completed construction of more than two miles of floating port security barrier, greatly improving security at Mina Salman Harbour,” the citation added.
“The $18.9m port security barrier was completed in only nine months.”
The GDN last year reported about the first-of-its-kind waterside security barrier to protect ships at the port.
The 3,810-metre-long Coalition Force Waterfront Security Barrier is the longest sea wall the US Navy has built overseas.
It is designed to absorb kinetic energy (energy of an object in motion) and has the power to defend, deter or delay a vessel intending to harm navy ships moored on the waterfront at Mina Salman Port.
NSA Bahrain was also praised for providing five-star accredited Morale Welfare and Recreation programme along with family services, child programmes and other facilities to its personnel even during Covid-19 while adhering to safety protocols.
sandy@gdn.com.bh
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