Bahrain - UK Naval Support Facility (HMS Jufair)

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GibMariner
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Bahrain - UK Naval Support Facility (HMS Jufair)

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Courtesy of NavyLookout:

Bahrain: UK Royal Navy establishes anti-piracy HQ
A multi-million dollar headquarters to oversee the UK's counter-piracy and maritime anti-terrorism efforts in the Gulf will open next week in Bahrain, a report said.
The BD6.3 million ($16.5 million) expansion of the UK Maritime Component Command (UKMCC) complex in Juffair, which constitutes Britain's largest maritime forces investment on foreign soil, is complete, reported the Gulf Daily News (GDN), our sister publication.
The project comprises a new headquarters and an engineering and logistics facility.

The GDN reported in April last year that both buildings were expected to be completed by July this year to coincide with the completion of the Salman Naval Base, previously known as Mina Salman Port.

However, British Ambassador Iain Lindsay told the GDN exclusively that the facility was ready ahead of schedule. "The regional headquarters of the Royal Navy will be opened on June 15," he said.
Read here: http://www.albawaba.com/business/bahrai ... -hq-704246

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GibMariner
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Re: UK Maritime Component Command (UKMCC) - Bahrain

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Re: UK Maritime Component Command (UKMCC) - Bahrain

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Inside The Biggest Royal Navy Base Outside The UK
Forces News has been given exclusive access to the UK’s biggest Naval Base outside the UK.

The Royal Navy Maritime Component in Bahrain is home to hundreds of personnel and a base to a number of ships on rotation.

Bahraini, British, US and other allies work together in Bahrain under the established Combined Maritime Force or CMF.

The latest to join is Iraq, making a further contribution the security of the Gulf region.

Bahrain has the biggest concentration of Royal Navy outside the UK, working around the clock 365 days a year.
Video here: http://forces.tv/19635539

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GibMariner
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Re: UK Maritime Component Command (UKMCC) - Bahrain

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Lyme Bay takes over as minehunters' 'mother ship' in Gulf
Navy support vessel RFA Lyme Bay has begun her mission as ‘mother ship’ to British and allied minehunters in the Gulf with a two-week Anglo-American workout.

The Falmouth-based vessel has just arrived in the Middle East to take over from her sister Cardigan Bay, which spent a good three years providing fuel, food, spare parts and ammunition to mine warfare forces operating out of Bahrain.

She does so via a process known as ‘rafting up’ – berthing alongside minehunters in the mid-ocean with giant fenders to prevent the vessels damaging each other.

To put her to the test as the afloat forward support base (the official term for ‘mother ship’) – and to give the minehunters a bit of a workout too – all four of the Royal Navy’s force in Bahrain, HMS Penzance, Middleton, Chiddingfold and Bangor, plus two US Navy Avenger-class vessels, USS Sentry and Gladiator, put to sea for a fortnight.
http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news-and-la ... ip-in-gulf

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GibMariner
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Re: UK Maritime Component Command (UKMCC) - Bahrain

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US, Royal Navy team up for Squadex-16
Minehunters from the U.S. and Royal Navy conducted the quarterly mine countermeasures (MCM) exercise Squadex-16 in the Arabian Gulf, July 30 through August 5.

Participating naval vessels included U.S. Navy mine countermeasures ships USS Gladiator (MCM 11) and USS Sentry (MCM 3), U.K. landing ship dock RFA Lyme Bay (L3007) and U.K Royal Navy Sandown-class minehunters HMS Bangor (M109) and HMS Penzance (M106).
More here: http://navaltoday.com/2016/08/09/us-roy ... quadex-16/

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GibMariner
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Re: UK Maritime Component Command (UKMCC) - Bahrain

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Re: UK Maritime Component Command (UKMCC) - Bahrain

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Today's opening of the Royal Navy's new Bahrain base seriously enhances Britain's ability to defend the Gulf
Today on his trip to Bahrain, His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales has opened a new Naval Support Facility (NSF) in Manama. It is a fitting way to mark the 200th anniversary of Anglo-Bahraini cooperation but, more importantly, it is a reaffirmation of the UK’s commitment to the Gulf, and to Bahrain in particular.

With the region continuing to face difficult times, the British return to East of Suez is a reassuring sign that our countries remain steadfast friends and allies, with strong diplomatic, military and trade relations.

The NSF is the latest initiative in a long-standing defence relationship that has cemented ties between our kingdoms. It will be the second busiest centre of operations for the Royal Navy after Portsmouth. It will allow the British Navy to re-crew, resupply and undergo repairs in the Gulf without having to return to the UK or other ports, saving time and reducing costs.
More here: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/11 ... ously-enh/

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GibMariner
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Re: UK Maritime Component Command (UKMCC) - Bahrain

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Prince of Wales opens new welfare building to support Royal Navy sailors in Bahrain

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His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales gave the Royal Navy’s newest support facility his seal of approval when he opened the Welfare Building at the Mina Salman port in Bahrain.

In a historic milestone for the UK’s first new establishment ashore east of Suez since 1971, the prince officially opened the building alongside HRH The Crown Prince of Bahrain.

The new building forms part of a larger installation, due to come into service next summer, that will serve personnel stationed in Bahrain as they work to protect some of the world’s most important shipping lanes.

Their Royal Highnesses were welcomed to the site by the United Kingdom Maritime Component Commander, Commodore William Warrender.

“We are delighted to have The Crown Prince of Bahrain and The Prince of Wales here to mark this significant milestone in the construction of the UK’s largest military support facility,” said Commodore Warrender, who is responsible for the UK’s maritime presence across the Gulf and Indian Ocean.

“The focus now moves to completing the site with industry partners at Mina Salman port and to prepare the installation for its role supporting operations across the Gulf region.”

The two princes were taken on a tour of the new building and met sailors and staff from the UK and Commonwealth who work there. The Welfare Building and infrastructure for the site is part of a gift to the United Kingdom by His Majesty The King of Bahrain, and will provide secure berthing and support facilities for Royal Navy vessels, as well as modern accommodation including sport and recreational services for up to 500 people.

The facility is being built by the Bahraini Defence Force in partnership with Al Dahrani Contracting Company. Specialist support is provided by consultancy firm WYG which advises on compliance with UK standards and regulations.
http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news-and-la ... ng-bahrain

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Re: UK Maritime Component Command (UKMCC) - Bahrain

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UK, US conclude mine countermeasure drill
The navies of U.K. and U.S. concluded their joint mine countermeasures (MCM) exercise 17-1 in the Persian Gulf, on November 17.

The 38-day, bilateral exercise between the U.S. Navy and U.K. Royal navy was designed to provide an opportunity for both nations to share knowledge of MCM techniques.

U.S. Navy exercise participants included USS Devastator (MCM 6), USS Gladiator (MCM 11), USS Dextrous (MCM 13), and explosive ordnance disposal mobile unit (EODMU) 1, along with Royal Navy MCM ships HMS Bangor (M 109), HMS Chiddingfold (M 37), HMS Penzance (M 106), HMS Middleton (M 34), and auxiliary landing ship dock RFA Lyme Bay (L 3007).
Read more: http://navaltoday.com/2016/11/22/uk-us- ... ure-drill/

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Re: UK Maritime Component Command (UKMCC) - Bahrain

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10th November 2016 - Prince Charles opens HMS Juffair (UKMCC), Bahrain


Prime Minister Theresa May visited HMS Ocean, stationed in Bahrain during her 5th to 7th December 2016 visit. She spoke to the ship's personnel about their role in the UK's commitment to security in the Gulf.


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Re: Bahrain - UK Naval Support Facility (HMS Jufair)

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Bahrain - UK Naval Support Facility (HMS Jufair)

(Associated Press) 5th April 2018
Britain opened its first permanent military base in the Middle East in more than four decades on 5 April 2018 in the Persian Gulf country of Bahrain, giving the UK an expansive presence along key international shipping routes.

The UK Naval Support Facility can house up to around 500 Royal Navy personnel, including sailors, soldiers and airmen, in a region where maritime security ensures oil shipments and goods make it from Asia to Europe. British officials have described it as the first permanent British base east of the Suez Canal since 1971.

Bahrain, located off the coast of Saudi Arabia and just west of its rival Iran, also plays host to the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet.
Tense encounters have occurred between US and Iranian naval forces in the Persian Gulf, though military officials say provocations of US navy ships in recent months have halted.

The new British hub makes it easier for the Royal Navy to conduct longer-term deployments in the Persian Gulf and will offer engineering and logistical support for ships.

The facility includes sleeping accommodation, sport facilities, a chapel, and recreational areas for troops.

The port would also be able to service mine sweepers and aircraft carriers, though carriers like the HMS Queen Elizabeth will not be able to dock there because the water is too shallow.

The Duke of York, Prince Andrew, and Bahrain's Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa were on-hand for the ceremony in Salman Port.

Bahrain, led by a Sunni monarchy, was rocked by Arab Spring-inspired protests in 2011 by its Shiite majority and others aimed at demanding more political freedoms from the ruling Al Khalifa family.

The government put down the demonstrations with help from Saudi and Emirati troops.

The ongoing crackdown has seen dozens of activists imprisoned, others exiled, and a major Shiite opposition group dismantled.


HMS Jufair Wikipedia page: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMS_Jufair

Luke jones
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Re: Bahrain - UK Naval Support Facility (HMS Jufair)

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Cracking facility they have there.

Phil Sayers
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Re: Bahrain - UK Naval Support Facility (HMS Jufair)

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Apologies if this has been posted elsewhere but if so I haven't seen it. According to this Telegraph article a Type 23 Frigate is going to be based at HMS Jufair and presumably if that is a success a Type 31 will be based there in the future:

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/0 ... ince-1971/

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