Flip through the latest issue of Gulf Weekly.
US service families who have returned to Bahrain were welcomed at a meeting with Vice Adm Bill Gortney, Commander, US Naval Forces Central Command.
Families were forced to leave the island in 2004 due to security concerns over military activities in the region and the get-together served to welcome the group of current family members back to the island and inform them of the programmes and services on offer.
"The return of families to Bahrain will enhance the quality of life here for our service members and Department of Defence civilians," said Adm Gortney. "It also speaks highly of the security and stability of the region and highlights our country's enduring commitment to Bahrain, a country and a people who havebeen tremendously supportive of our Navy and the US for decades."
Adm Gortney kicked off the event with 'Welcome Aboard' remarks and a question and answer session followed by a social hour. The afternoon finished with an information fair where various base services were explained. Children were also treated to an afternoon of fun while adults learned about life in Bahrain.
Family members were authorised to return to the kingdom at the end of June marking a change in Defence Department policy that has been in place since July 2004.
Capt John D Schoeneck, NSA Bahrain Commanding Officer, said:"With family members of all ages coming back to Bahrain we will see an increase in continuity of service here because tours of duty will go from the usual one-year unaccompanied stint to a two-year accompanied tour of duty."
"Family members being able to come here is awesome because usually serving here has meant leaving my wife behind," said Lt Nick Panos. "But now, coming to Bahrain to serve is something we can do and experience together."
Lt Panos's wife Betsy echoed her husband's sentiments and added that she has noticed quite a change since more family members are on board.
"I think the addition of spouses and kids here makes the environment warmer, maybe a little friendlier," she said. "I know there's definitely a lot more smiling going on here now."
And younger family members agree.
"I'm excited about more kids coming to Bahrain because it will be easier and a lot of fun to meet more friends who we share something in common with, and we can also experience the local culture together," said Isabelle Mouton, a 16-year-old who will begin her senior year in high school at the Bahrain School this coming school year.
Her 10-year-old brother Peter has forged memories here in Bahrain that are quite unique even though he is involved with a typical American organisation - the Boy Scouts of America.
"In the US we would camp out in the woods," he said. "But here, we have gone to other countries and camped out in the desert. That's something you don't get to do in the States."
