Naval Support Operations Bahrain, Bahrain – From spirited chants of “Win the Army, Win the Navy” on the soccer field to synergistic teamwork on Bahrain’s sandy beaches, the Army-Navy rivalry takes on a new dimension. , transforms into cooperation for a common mission. . At the heart of this mission is a dedicated professional who reaps both the career and personal rewards of serving in one of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ most dynamic locations.
When Army and Navy square off on the soccer field, a fierce rivalry unfolds, an old rivalry. But thousands of miles away in Bahrain, members of the Army Corps of Engineers’ Transatlantic Division and U.S. Navy Central Command are putting aside their inter-service rivalries and partnering on important projects in U.S. Central Command’s areas of responsibility. But collaboration isn’t just about projects. It’s also about people. For professionals considering a career in the Army Corps of Engineers, Bahrain offers a unique opportunity for challenging work with real-world impact, valuable experience in strategic regions, and being part of a team that defines the Army. We offer an attractive package of opportunity. Navy teamwork can accomplish.
In a series of key leadership engagements, U.S. Army Col. William C. Hannan, Jr., commander of the Army Corps of Engineers’ Transatlantic Division, visited Bahrain on September 11 and confirmed the already strong military presence with Naval Forces Central Command. We strengthened collaboration between the two companies. Naval Support Operations in Bahrain.
Naval Forces Central Command is one of the U.S. Navy’s regional commands and is responsible for naval operations in the Middle East and parts of South Asia. These are the naval division of CENTCOM, which oversees US military operations across his 20 countries in the aforementioned region. Their areas of responsibility are strategically important and include some of the world’s most important maritime chokepoints, such as the Strait of Hormuz and the Suez Canal.
Headquartered in Bahrain, NAVCENT plays a central role in a variety of missions, including maritime security operations, counter-piracy operations, and partnerships with regional navies to ensure freedom of navigation on the high seas. Their role is often multifaceted, given the geopolitical complexity of the region, including ongoing conflicts, regional rivalries, and important U.S. national security interests.
They work with other U.S. military branches, allies, and regional partners to achieve common objectives. This ranges from direct military intervention to humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations. It also works closely with other U.S. military forces, including the Army, to achieve its goals in the region, including through cooperation with the Army Corps of Engineers’ Transatlantic Division.
Mr. Hannan began his series of visits by meeting with officials from the Bahrain Regional Office of the Transatlantic Middle East Region. Discussions focused on current and future efforts aimed at strengthening the operational capabilities of both the Army and Navy in the region.
Building on Hannan’s emphasis on military-to-military cooperation, Jeffrey Paulig, Resident Engineer of the Bahrain Regional Office, detailed specific infrastructure projects that exemplify the Army-Navy partnership in Bahrain.
“Currently, we are working on two basic infrastructure projects,” Paulig explained. “One will not only provide additional electrical capacity to the base, but also resilience and redundancy within the power grid. The other project will provide a hotel station for ships and communications, electricity, water and We will provide all the infrastructure and utilities needed for sewage, waste oil. These critical infrastructure projects will not only enhance the Navy’s operational capabilities here, but will also result in significant cost savings.”
Mr. Hanan, along with Mr. Paulig and key officials from the Middle East region, toured ongoing projects that are a cornerstone of cooperation between USACE, NAVCENT, and NSA Bahrain.
“These projects are critical to enhancing both the strategic interests and security architecture of the region and are a testament to effective Army-Navy cooperation,” Hannan said.
In separate meetings with U.S. Navy Vice Adm. Brad Cooper, commander of U.S. Navy Central Command, and U.S. Navy Capt. Zakaria D. Appelauk, commander of NSA Bahrain, Mr. Hannan discussed the current status and future of projects aimed at supporting naval operations. We talked about orbit. and regional stability.
These strategic engagements highlighted the collaborative energy and common focus of the Army and Navy in Bahrain.
Reflecting on his views on effective cooperation between the Army and Navy, Mr. Pollig delved into the specific factors that made the partnership successful in Bahrain.
“The Navy has been great. We have built strong relationships and partnerships, and we have great contractors here in Bahrain, so we have great success on all our projects,” said Paulig. , many of which were completed before my arrival, always on time, on budget, and with safety as a priority. The Navy recognizes her USACE expertise and grants her significant autonomy in operations. This trust has been built over many years and confirms our competency and success in our work. ”
Discussing the challenges of adaptability and agility, especially in extreme weather conditions, Paulig added: “In an environment like this, it is very important that our staff be flexible, and not just because of the weather, with temperatures reaching extremes in the summer. But also over the long term, as we deploy staff to other Middle East regional offices to support those who require more resources.”
VADM Cooper echoed Paulig’s sentiments about the importance of adaptability and praised the Army Corps of Engineers and Bahrain Regional Office staff, saying, “Keep up the great work!”
Highlighting the broader strategic context, Mr. Hannan said, “The strong alliance between the Army Corps of Engineers and NAVCENT is the basis for effective military cooperation across the CENTCOM AOR. As a key hub for naval operations, Bahrain has become an integral part of our strong cooperation.” These efforts provide valuable opportunities to strengthen regional security and develop critical infrastructure. ”
Mr. Pohlig provided insight into his career journey with USACE. “I joined the USACE in 2009 as a materials testing specialist as a GS-5 in the Savannah area. I then moved to construction sites in the Jacksonville area and worked in Puerto Rico and South Florida. I was hired as an engineer, a position here in Bahrain.”
“The work here is probably the most interesting work I’ve ever done. There’s more variety than anywhere else. From ammunition storage facilities to runways, aprons, hangars, military construction, We work on everything from aviation to aviation,” Pollig said. “The same goes for traffic control towers. It’s also rewarding to work with the Air Force, Army, Navy, and the various facilities that support the host nation.”
“Working abroad in the Middle East is fun and I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a rewarding experience both professionally and personally. There are a lot of them,” Paulig continued. The work here is challenging, diverse and complex. And it looks beautiful on his resume. It is also close to Asia and Europe, making it fairly inexpensive to visit these places. His wife and I just returned from Malaysia and Vietnam. “And then we’re off to Barcelona. The Bahrain Regional Office for the Middle East is the coolest place in the world.”