• Military Menu                       

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Industry
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• WMD
• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

US Navy EOD and Divers and Bahrain Defense Forces Strengthen Partnerships

Navy News Service

Story Number: NNS111201-09
12/1/2011

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Krishna M. Jackson, CTG 56.1 Combat Camera

MINA SALMAN PIER, Bahrain (NNS) -- U.S. explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) technicians and Navy divers, assigned to Commander, Task Group (CTG) 56.1, completed exercise Neon Response (NR) 2012 with Royal Bahrain Naval Force (RBNF) divers and Bahrain Defense Force (BDF) EOD technicians, in Bahrain, Nov 23.

NR 12 was a bilateral explosive ordnance disposal and diving engagement designed to strengthen partnership between U.S. Navy and Bahrain Defense Force, while improving tactical proficiency and enhancing EOD capabilities.

"The exercise was part of a routine theater security cooperation and all participants were motivated to learn new techniques," said Lt.j.g. Jacob Mello, CTG 56.1 EOD officer in charge and lead officer for the engagement.

According to RBNF Chief Officer Hani Almashad, special service group diving supervisor, Bahrain forces enjoyed working alongside the U.S. EOD team because it gave them a chance to see how the Navy combines the two missions of EOD and diving operations.

The classroom and the underwater portion of the engagement took place on the RBNF base located at the Mina Salman port. Arabic translators from both the RBNF and BDF assisted the U.S. Navy Divers and EOD teams with communicating clearly with everyone. To add an additional level of communication between the U.S. and Bahrain forces, every slide for the safety and operational briefs were translated into Arabic. This enabled everyone to meet the engagement objectives when put into practice in the water and at the demolition range.

"We enjoyed working with them and we have taken away many things from the U.S. Navy, like how to use a handheld sonar to hunt mines and setting up explosives on land," said Almashad.

During the exercise the U.S. EOD team gained a better understanding of the capabilities of their Bahraini counterparts.

"We share the same basic foundation of EOD skills, knowledge, and core values," said Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician 1st Class Thomas Hensen. "As you progress through your EOD career, you pick up more advanced skill sets, building upon your knowledge base, while the basic foundation remains."

Bilateral exercises not only develop lasting relationships between the participants, they are also excellent opportunities to enhance tactical proficiency between U.S. Navy and its allied partners, refine operators' skills, and develop the foundations necessary for long-term stability. Interoperability is essential to providing theater security in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility.