.Iraq pullout 'won't hit Bahrain base'
A MASSIVE troop pullout from Iraq is unlikely to affect the US Naval presence in Bahrain, it emerged yesterday.
President Barack Obama has already announced plans to evacuate all combat troops from Iraq within the next 16 months.
However, US Fifth Fleet Commander Vice-Admiral Bill Gortney said he did not expect the decision to affect personnel numbers here.
"We have had a presence here (in Bahrain) for 60 years and our footprint and number of service members has remained pretty constant," he said.
"Long before Operation Enduring Freedom (in Afghanistan) and Operation Iraqi Freedom we had a pretty significant footprint out here and we will continue to maintain it.
"We are only here for maritime security and stability."
However, Vice-Adm Gortney revealed officials were still waiting for instructions after Obama called for a policy of engagement between the US and Iran.
"We haven't received any guidance as a result of the president's announcement until now," he said at the US Naval Support Activity (NSA) base, Juffair.
"We currently interact with the Iranian navy on bridge-to-bridge radios, using an international code of signals.
"It is a standard mechanism of reply between two ships at sea."
However, Vice-Adm Gortney strongly condemned recent claims that Iran had sovereignty over Bahrain.
"We don't think it is particularly helpful for any nation to threaten another nation," he said.
"Our whole purpose out here is to provide stability and security in this region and ensure that the sea lines of communication and the Strait of Hormuz is free and open that the global economy demands."
He added he did not view Iranian training exercises in the Strait of Hormuz as a threat to the Gulf.
"All the navies of the world train all the time so the fact that the Iranian navy is training is of no surprise," he said.
"We watch very closely their training schedule and their operations so it does not bother us."
Meanwhile, Vice-Adm Gortney condemned the actions of US Navy sailors who allegedly stole a black flag relating to the Ashoora festival from a house in Hidd earlier this month.
The 15 off-duty suspects, who are now being investigated, entered the yard of a house and snatched the flag - one of several flown around the country to commemorate the death of Prophet Mohammed's grandson, Imam Hussain.
"That is not the conduct that we condone, nor will tolerate from our sailors," said Vice-Adm Gortney, who has been in charge for seven months.
"We spend a great deal of time in an indoctrination programme when people arrive on the cultures around here and acceptable behaviour.
"That was unacceptable behaviour and we took it very seriously.
"They will be held accountable and we have brought in additional leadership to help us with that problem."
He added the US Navy was constantly searching for vessels that could be used to smuggle weapons or drugs on behalf of Al Qaeda, but said none had been spotted in the Gulf.
Gulf Daily
President Barack Obama has already announced plans to evacuate all combat troops from Iraq within the next 16 months.
However, US Fifth Fleet Commander Vice-Admiral Bill Gortney said he did not expect the decision to affect personnel numbers here.
"We have had a presence here (in Bahrain) for 60 years and our footprint and number of service members has remained pretty constant," he said.
"Long before Operation Enduring Freedom (in Afghanistan) and Operation Iraqi Freedom we had a pretty significant footprint out here and we will continue to maintain it.
"We are only here for maritime security and stability."
However, Vice-Adm Gortney revealed officials were still waiting for instructions after Obama called for a policy of engagement between the US and Iran.
"We haven't received any guidance as a result of the president's announcement until now," he said at the US Naval Support Activity (NSA) base, Juffair.
"We currently interact with the Iranian navy on bridge-to-bridge radios, using an international code of signals.
"It is a standard mechanism of reply between two ships at sea."
However, Vice-Adm Gortney strongly condemned recent claims that Iran had sovereignty over Bahrain.
"We don't think it is particularly helpful for any nation to threaten another nation," he said.
"Our whole purpose out here is to provide stability and security in this region and ensure that the sea lines of communication and the Strait of Hormuz is free and open that the global economy demands."
He added he did not view Iranian training exercises in the Strait of Hormuz as a threat to the Gulf.
"All the navies of the world train all the time so the fact that the Iranian navy is training is of no surprise," he said.
"We watch very closely their training schedule and their operations so it does not bother us."
Meanwhile, Vice-Adm Gortney condemned the actions of US Navy sailors who allegedly stole a black flag relating to the Ashoora festival from a house in Hidd earlier this month.
The 15 off-duty suspects, who are now being investigated, entered the yard of a house and snatched the flag - one of several flown around the country to commemorate the death of Prophet Mohammed's grandson, Imam Hussain.
"That is not the conduct that we condone, nor will tolerate from our sailors," said Vice-Adm Gortney, who has been in charge for seven months.
"We spend a great deal of time in an indoctrination programme when people arrive on the cultures around here and acceptable behaviour.
"That was unacceptable behaviour and we took it very seriously.
"They will be held accountable and we have brought in additional leadership to help us with that problem."
He added the US Navy was constantly searching for vessels that could be used to smuggle weapons or drugs on behalf of Al Qaeda, but said none had been spotted in the Gulf.
Gulf Daily
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