33 VOLUME 21, NUMBER 541
NAVAL SUPPORT ACTIVITY BAHRAIN
February 19, 2025
U.S. Navy, 35+ Partners Commence International Maritime Exercise (IMX) 2025
Courtesy Story MANAMA, Bahrain – The Middle East region’s largest maritime exercise, International Maritime Exercise (IMX) 2025, kicked off in two locations, Bahrain and Jordan, Feb. 10. The week began with academic discussions covering a series of topics including the naval planning process, maritime operations center procedures, and disaster response coordination. IMX25 is a 12-day naval training event hosted by U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT). This year’s iteration of IMX is linked with exercise Cutlass Express. Cutlass Express, led by U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa, is an annually scheduled exercise designed to enhance regional maritime awareness and the combined capabilities of partner nations to respond to maritime threats. The exercises are link through information sharing between maritime operations center to strengthen theater-totheater coordination, reducing regional seams and strengthening U.S. and partner nation capabilities and interoperability. More than 5,000 personnel
from more than 35 nations and international organizations will take part in both exercises. IMX is designed to demonstrate global resolve in preserving the
rules-based international order, offering a unique opportunity for participants to collaborate and showcase regional maritime security cooperation.
“Exercises like IMX show that we are at our best when we work together and that our resolve is unwavering,” said U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Jeff Jurgemeyer, NAVCENT
vice commander, during his remarks at the opening ceremony. “The Middle East region is a critical crossroads for worldwide commerce and trade. IMX is our combined assurance that the potential for economic success is greatest when international waterways are safe and open for all.” The operational phase will include partner exchanges on mine and countermeasures; visit, board, search and seizure; unmanned systems and artificial intelligence integration; explosive ordnance disposal; vessel defense; search and rescue; and mass casualty response, among other focus areas. This is the ninth iteration of IMX since its establishment in 2012. The U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations encompasses nearly 2.5 million square miles of water area and includes 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 and Bab al-Mandeb. More information about IMX is available at: https://www.cusnc. navy.mil/IMX/.
NSA Bahrain Earns Inaugural “Best-in-Class,” SeventhConsecutive Retention Excellence Award Story by Lt.j.g. Bryan Blair, NSA Bahrain Public Affairs MANAMA, Bahrain -- For the seventh consecutive year, Naval Support Activity Bahrain has earned the Navy Retention Excellence Award (REA) for fiscal year 2024 (FY24), with an additional first-ever distinction of “Best-in-Class” (BIC) in the large installation category. “We are in a war for talent to attract, develop, and retain the very best by utilizing all force management levers at our
disposal,” said Vice Adm. Richard Cheeseman Jr., commander, Navy Personnel Command (NPC), via Navy-wide message. “We must retain our trained and experienced Sailors who are personally invested in mission success by actively building great people, leaders, and teams. Similarly, our leaders must think, act, and operate differently to encourage and foster an environment where Sailors want to stay Navy.” Overseen by NPC, the REA is awarded annually to commands
who meet or exceed platformspecific reenlistment rate benchmarks while remaining at or below the Navy's established attrition benchmark. Those commands are then eligible for the BIC distinction, which the decision being made at the type commander (TYCOM) level. Commander, Navy Installations Command (CNIC), the TYCOM for NSA Bahrain, selected the forwarddeployed installation as its winner for FY24. “Despite a myriad of regional
Pakistan Assumes Command of Combined Maritime Forces’ Combined Task Force 151
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and global challenges over the past several years, one thing has remained ironclad – the dedication of our NSA Bahrain Sailors,” said Capt. Zachariah Aperauch, commanding officer, NSA Bahrain. “Our installation earning the REA for the seventh straight year and first-ever best-in-class is a remarkable achievement; one that is shared by the entire team, from our most junior Sailors to our most senior leaders. The Navy is able to retain the highest-caliber talent because of this installation’s
commitment to development and excellence.” NSA Bahrain’s mission is to support U.S. and coalition maritime operations throughout the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations by providing security for ships, aircraft and tenants on board NSA Bahrain and assigned detachments. NSA Bahrain provides efficient and effective shore services to sustain the fleet, enable the fighter and support the family with honor, courage and commitment.
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