Ensuring maritime security and stability locally requires more than written agreements and handshakes. The mission needs experienced sailors who know how to use their ships amidst the region’s vast geography and challenging climate.
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This week, sailors from the Royal Bahrain Naval Force joined the crew of the coastal patrol ship USS Chinook (PC 9) for a three-day professional exchange that ended on 21 September. Bahrain and US crew members discussed best practices for engineering, search and rescue, damage control and weapon handling during training opportunities on land and at sea.
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Chinook’s operations officer, Lt. j.g. Elijah Jackowitz believed that training at sea was particularly beneficial.
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“It was an eye opening working with our Bahraini partners,” said Jackowitz. “I learned from them as much as they learned from us. We got to share how we operate on deck and conduct boat operations, man overboard drills and shootings – things we can do at sea. “
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In March, Bahrain inaugurated five coastal patrol vessels in the Royal Bahrain Naval Force previously operated by the United States Navy. Close links between maritime forces strengthen bilateral cooperation and interoperability.
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On the first day of work with his Bahraini counterparts, Boatswain’s 2nd class mate Brian Miranda-Perez conducted a training event with a device on the ship called the “J-bar”, which is used to lift personnel off. from the water.