Training gets real: NSA Bahrain completes Reliant Defense 2013

Photo By Weam M Ahmed | U.S. Navy medical personnel assess the condition of a simulated casualty during Exercise Reliant Defense 13. Reliant Defense is an exercise designed to enhance the training and readiness of Navy security forces to respond to threats to installations and units. (U.S. Navy photo by Weam M. Ahmed/Released)  

NAVAL SUPPORT ACTIVITY, BAHRAIN

03.28.2013

Story by Petty Officer 2nd Class David Krigbaum 

U.S. Naval Support Activity Bahrain

NAVAL SUPPORT ACTIVITY, Bahrain - Naval Support Activity (NSA) Bahrain wrapped up Exercise Reliant Defense 2013, March 28. Commander, Navy Region Europe, Africa and Southwest Asia (CNREURAFSWA) led the region-wide exercise, which was designed to enhance the training and readiness of Naval security forces.

During the course of the three-day event NSA Bahrain faced a number of simulated threat scenarios. On base Naval Security Force (NSF) Bahrain responded to demonstrators at the gate. Harbor patrol fended off a small boat attack and an Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) unit defused a bomb at the aviation unit The centerpiece of the exercise was handling a chemical weapon-armed suicide bomber with hostages. It required a team effort by NSF, Naval Branch Health Clinic's emergency responders, EOD as well as Naval Criminal Investigative Service coordinated through the command's Emergency Operations Center. The Fleet and Family Support Center and command chaplain were available afterwards to provide support to "attack survivors." For increased realism EOD wore Mission-Oriented Protected Posture gear, casualties bore faux wounds to be tended and the base went to Force Protection Condition Delta.

"This was one of the most realistic exercises we've had- we had minimal simulations," said Lt. Cmdr. Shawn Bowman, NSA Bahrain training officer. "It's as real as it can get."

Three months of planning went into Reliant Defense. According to Bowman it was a challenge to get all the exercise participants together but it was worth it to create the most realistic training scenarios they could. Through exercises like Reliant Defense the Navy optimizes its security measures and increases its ability to respond to threats and deter real-world attacks.

"I am impressed with the all around effort put out by our Naval Security Force, first responders and the EOD Unit," said Capt. Colin Walsh, NSA Bahrain commanding officer. "They met each objective with professional skill and decisive action."

Regionally, other exercise participants included CNREURAFSWA; NSA Naples, Italy; Naval Air Station Sigonella, Italy; NSA Souda Bay, Greece; Naval Station Rota, Spain; and Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti. Reliant Defense is conducted annually to maintain a high level of readiness for our naval installations and is not a response to any specific threats.

• Date Taken: 03.28.2013
• Date Posted: 03.28.2013 10:01
• Story ID: 104223
• Location: NAVAL SUPPORT ACTIVITY, BH