Normandy Visits Bahrain

Photo By Petty Officer 1st Class Michael Lehman | 191115-N-PC620-0001 MANAMA, Bahrain (Nov. 15, 2019) Sailors assigned to the guided-missile cruiser USS Normandy (CG 60) pose for a photograph while volunteering at The Bahrain Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Normandy is part of the East Coast Surface Action Group and is operating in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations in support of naval operations to ensure maritime stability and security in the Central Region, connecting the Mediterranean and Pacific through the Western Indian Ocean and three strategic choke points. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Michael H. Lehman)  

MANAMA, BAHRAIN

11.15.2019

Story by Petty Officer 2nd Class Michael Lehman 

Navy Public Affairs Support Element East - (Active)

ARABIAN SEA – The guided-missile cruiser USS Normandy (CG 60) departed Manama, Bahrain following a scheduled port visit Nov. 17.

While in Bahrain, Normandy Sailors had a chance to rest and recharge their batteries, experience the local culture, and volunteer at a local animal shelter.

“Normandy’s visit to Bahrain is important for a few reasons,” said Capt. Chris D. Stone, Normandy’s commanding officer. “It is always great to get the crew some well-deserved liberty and time to reset. Furthermore, it is essential that we continue to foster strong relationships with our host nations. Bahrain is a nation the U.S. has deep ties with; it is incumbent upon us to enhance those ties which lead to increased interoperability and strengthening of regional security.”

Dedicated community service and volunteerism is one way the U.S. Navy continues to strengthen relationships with host nations.

“The Bahrain community relations event was an awesome opportunity to for our Sailors to volunteer at The Bahrain Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals,” said Lt. Anthony Swancoat, the chaplain aboard Normandy. “This charity receives no government funding, so they rely on volunteers to help provide care to the animals. Normandy Sailors were more than happy to help out. It ended up being a great blessing for our Sailors to get the chance to spend quality time off-ship with their favorite animals.”

One such Sailor is Naval Air Crewman (Helicopter) 2nd Class Rusty Pruden, a native of Everett, Washington, assigned to the “Bad Omens” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 72.

Pruden said there were more than 100 dogs, 25 to 30 cats, as well as other farm animals which he and the six other Normandy Sailors socialized and played with.

“I have a dog named Rider back home and volunteering at this shelter affected me on a personal level because dogs help me stay grounded and relaxed,” said Pruden. “Playing with these animals and socializing with them was a good way to help relieve stress amid deployment and will hopefully help them get adopted into a loving family in the future.”

Walking dogs was only one way Normandy Sailors unwound.

Sonar Technician (Surface) 2nd Class Davis Schaefer, a native of Houston, said he was able to relax and recharge by lounging by the pool at his hotel, enjoying the local cuisine and talking with family back in the United States.

“The citizens of Manama were friendly and accommodating, and the local food was outstanding,” said Schaefer. “Working with the same people every day can be taxing, but having opportunities, like the one in Bahrain, to get off the ship, decompress, and refocus on the mission is crucial to ensuring maximum effectiveness of the crew.”

Normandy is deployed in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations in support of naval operations to ensure maritime stability and security in the Central Region, connecting the Mediterranean and Pacific through the Western Indian Ocean and three strategic choke points.

Join the conversation with Normandy online at www.facebook.com/USSNormandy and www.Twitter.com/Normandy. For more news from Normandy, visit www.navy.mil/local/cg60/.

• Date Taken: 11.15.2019
• Date Posted: 12.06.2019 14:14
• Story ID: 352750
• Location: MANAMA, BH