HUNDREDS of American military personnel deployed in Bahrain are helping in a major evacuation operation.
More than 700 sailors, marines, soldiers and airmen from the Bahrain-based Fifth Fleet are working with relevant authorities in the kingdom to ensure the safe return of US citizens and evacuees from Afghanistan.
The Manama-headquartered US Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT) has set up a task force to temporarily assist the safe evacuation of personnel, announced the Fifth Fleet.
It added that it was also working with the 34-nation Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) which is based in Bahrain.
The Pentagon on Sunday ordered US commercial airlines to provide planes to help speed up the evacuation of eligible people from Taliban-controlled Afghanistan.
The planes will be used to transport those who have already been flown out of Kabul to military bases or transit points in Europe and the Middle East.
The GDN reported on Monday that a Gulf Air flight left from Isa Air Base for Dulles International Airport, Virginia, the US with evacuees from Afghanistan.
Bahrain’s national carrier became the first commercial company in the world to arrive in the US as part of rescue mission.
“More than 700 US military personnel stood up as Task Force 58 from units operating in the US Fifth Fleet region,” the Fifth Fleet said in a statement yesterday.
“US sailors, marines, soldiers and airmen are working alongside the US Embassy and Bahraini counterparts to temporarily facilitate the safe departure of US citizens and evacuees from Afghanistan through Bahrain.”
Travellers’ meals, short-term lodging and medical services are being provided to evacuees before departing for the US.
“We are extremely grateful for Bahrain’s critical efforts and assistance in the safe transit of US citizens and evacuees from Afghanistan,” said NAVCENT, Fifth Fleet and CMF commander Vice Admiral Brad Cooper.
“We deeply value our enduring bilateral relationship.”
He added that every organisation is contributing to the rescue missions and providing safe transit to those fleeing from Kabul.
“The entire team is stepping up and doing phenomenal work during a challenging time.
“I could not be prouder.”
The Fifth Fleet’s area of operations encompasses about 6.5 million square kilometres and includes the Arabian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, Red Sea and parts of the Indian Ocean.
It also covers three critical choke-points at the Strait of Hormuz, the Suez Canal and the Strait of Bab al Mandeb at the southern tip of Yemen.
Meanwhile, as part of a donation drive launched at the Naval Support Activity (NSA) Bahrain US service members, civilians and their families are donating necessary supplies in support of the safe relocation of Americans and evacuees from Afghanistan.
sandy@gdn.com.bh
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