Understanding the Impact of the Assault on NSA Bahrain During Operation Epic Fury
As more details emerge about the early attacks on the U.S. Naval Support Activity (NSA) in Manama, Bahrain, part of Operation Epic Fury, it becomes increasingly apparent why the near devastation of this facility wasn’t immediately made public or acknowledged.
The severe damage inflicted on this crucial forward-operating base in the Middle East likely holds deep strategic and tactical consequences that are only now becoming evident.
The thought that such an essential, fully-operational hub, established over many decades, could be extensively compromised within just a few days by regional forces is almost beyond belief.
Having visited Bahrain multiple times for relaxation, shopping, and fitness during port visits, and having conducted biannual shipboard training as a government trainer, I have always considered it a safe haven.
It is now hard to fathom that NSA Bahrain has become almost uninhabitable, leaving many families in a state of uncertainty, as recent reports have indicated.
The estimated damage approaches $400 million, with the destruction impacting the Fifth Fleet’s headquarters, a barracks, multiple warehouses, communication towers, and a water purification facility.
Additionally, numerous U.S. Coast Guard ships and a significant portion of the personnel and their facilities have been relocated. Fortunately, there were no fatalities or severe injuries reported at the base, according to military officials.
The Role of NSA Bahrain in Regional and Global Security
NSA Bahrain is more than just a headquarters; it serves as a regional naval operating base for U.S. Navy forces in the Middle East, hosting NAVCENT and the U.S. Fifth Fleet, along with several tenant commands.
It underpins the logistical operations of ships, aircraft, personnel, or cargo moving throughout the region, making it a linchpin of American military presence in this strategically crucial area.
The facility is fundamental to the continuous availability of American military power and is crucial for projecting maritime power in the region.
The inability to prevent or adequately defend against an anticipated attack on such a critical fleet headquarters—and the protection of our sailors stationed there—is startling and likely equally concerning to our allies.
Recent issues, such as shortages of parts, food, mail, and supplies affecting the USS Abraham Lincoln, underscore the broader impact of the base’s compromised operational capacity. This situation has revealed the strained connection between ship supplies and their primary resourcing point.
The extension of supply lines from hundreds to thousands of miles presents significant challenges and constraints for forward-deployed naval operations.
The Long-term Consequences and Current Challenges
From my experiences deploying to the area, I can testify to the profound impacts of such disruptions. The lack of a proactive or timely evacuation of families and dependents from the base is perplexing. Even now, six months later, over a thousand evacuated troops and their families remain in limbo, separated from their pets and personal belongings.
The potential loss of NSA Bahrain is akin to losing an aircraft carrier. It was foreseeable that Iran might retaliate with an attack, yet the base—and those residing and working there—were left vulnerable, with inadequate protection against Tehran’s ballistic missiles.
The U.S. possesses advanced air defense systems capable of creating a near-impenetrable shield, similar to those employed over Israel and parts of Ukraine. These systems, including ballistic missile defense destroyers, could have been strategically deployed to safeguard the Fifth Fleet Headquarters.
Now, there are discussions about reducing the U.S. military presence in the region, a strategic withdrawal that will significantly affect logistical support for our ships and troops, increasing their vulnerability.
Vice Adm. Curt Renshaw, commander of Naval Forces Central Command, 5th Fleet, and Combined Maritime Forces, expressed his concerns at a town hall meeting with Bahrain evacuees, admitting that the situation has ventured into unprecedented territory.
Adm. Renshaw’s frustration is palpable, reflecting not just the physical damage but also the ongoing uncertainty regarding the operational status and future of one of America’s key naval headquarters, as well as the well-being of its personnel and their families.
While the Fifth Fleet remains operational, the infrastructure supporting it has been severely impaired. While operational security is vital, it is crucial for the American public to understand the scope of what happened, the significant impact, and how such a scenario can be prevented in the future.
If NSA Bahrain cannot be restored to its former capacity, it will fundamentally alter how the U.S. Navy operates, maintains, and supplies its ships, as well as how it supports coalition partners in the Gulf region.
I remain hopeful that NSA Bahrain will be rebuilt with adequate support and defenses to ensure its safety and functionality once again.
John Cordle is a retired Navy captain who commanded the destroyer USS Oscar Austin and the cruiser USS San Jacinto over his 30-year military career. He has received the U.S. Navy League John Paul Jones Award for Inspirational Leadership.
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Jamal Peterson reports on defense, aerospace, and tech policy. With a military background and a strategic mind, he dissects complex subjects with clarity, offering readers sharp, reliable insights.
