Naval Support Activity Bahrain

Branch: U.S. Navy
Location: Manama, Bahrain
Installation Type: Naval Support Activity
Status: Active

Overview

Naval Support Activity Bahrain is located on the island nation of Bahrain in the Persian Gulf, approximately 25 kilometers south of Manama, the capital city. NSA Bahrain is the headquarters of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT) and U.S. Fifth Fleet, which is responsible for all U.S. naval operations in the Middle East, Red Sea, Gulf of Oman, parts of the Indian Ocean, and the Gulf. The installation is of paramount strategic importance as the command hub for all U.S. naval presence in the Arabian Gulf region. Bahrain has been a close U.S. ally since the 1990s Gulf War and hosts the base under a Defense Cooperation Agreement.

Mission & Units

Primary Mission: Host U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT) and U.S. Fifth Fleet headquarters; support naval operations throughout the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility; provide logistics and fleet support for naval forces in the Persian Gulf and Arabian Sea.
Major Units: Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT) / Commander, U.S. Fifth Fleet; Commander, Combined Maritime Forces (CMF); Commander, Task Force 150, 151, 152, 153 (counter-narcotics, counter-piracy, Arabian Gulf, Red Sea); Combined Task Force headquarters
Tenant Units: Combined Maritime Forces (multinational task force HQ); various coalition naval partner nations; Naval Intelligence Command elements; Navy Expeditionary Combat Command elements; Defense Intelligence Agency elements

Location & Access

Nearest Major City: Manama (population approximately 200,000) – approximately 8 km north; the base is on Bahrain’s main island, well-connected by road; Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – approximately 450 km west by road via King Fahd Causeway; Dubai, UAE – approximately 340 km southeast
Nearest Commercial Airport: Bahrain International Airport (BAH) – approximately 10 km north of the base; international flights to all Middle East hubs, Europe, and Asia
Gate Access: Main gate; CAC/military ID required; visitor passes at Visitor Control Center; heightened security posture given NAVCENT/Fifth Fleet mission; Bahrain host nation security protocols apply

Population

Active Duty Personnel: Approximately 7,000 (permanent party plus rotational forces)
Family Members: Approximately 5,000
Civilian Employees: Approximately 1,500
Total Installation Population: Approximately 13,500

Key Facilities

Medical: Naval Medical Clinic Bahrain – primary care, dental, behavioral health; specialty referrals to American Mission Hospital or Kingdom Hospital in Bahrain (private hospitals with English-speaking physicians); UAE hospitals for complex cases; medevac to Landstuhl RMC or CONUS for major cases
Commissary: Yes – commissary on base; important given Gulf region import costs
Exchange (PX/BX/NEX): Yes – Navy Exchange (NEX) and facilities
Fitness & Recreation: Fitness centers; pools; golf course; bowling; auto skills; Manama offers duty-free shopping, diverse restaurants, and entertainment; Formula 1 Bahrain Grand Prix; desert excursions; Saudi Arabia easily accessible via causeway; Dubai weekend trips popular
Schools: DoDEA Bahrain Elementary School; DoDEA Bahrain Middle/High School – on or adjacent to base; DoDEA serves all military children; school is well-regarded within DoDEA
Childcare: Child Development Center on base; waitlists possible; register early
Veterinary Services: Veterinary Treatment Facility on base; limited; local Bahraini and expatriate veterinarians available in Manama; Middle East pet import requirements vary and are complex
Legal Assistance / JAG: Legal Assistance Office; appointment-based; U.S.-Bahrain SOFA matters and local law through JAG

Housing

On-Post Housing: Government quarters on base; family housing neighborhoods; condition generally good; on-base housing is preferred for security and community
Average Wait Time: Variable; on-base housing is in demand; economy housing in Manama and surrounding communities available
Off-Post Housing: Manama neighborhoods and Bahraini communities offer economy housing; OHA applies; Bahraini housing is often villa-style with gardens; Western-standard apartments available in diplomatic areas; Bahrainis and expats coexist in many communities; housing office assists
OHA Rate Reference: Check current OHA rates at Defense Travel Management Office (dtmo.mil); NSA Bahrain OHA reflects Gulf/Manama rental costs

PCS & Newcomer Info

Sponsorship Program: Contact gaining command; NAVCENT/Fifth Fleet and component commands have sponsorship programs; Bahrain PCS requires cultural preparation and awareness of Islamic customs
In-Processing: NSA Bahrain in-processing; typically 3-5 days; Bahrain SOFA briefings; vehicle registration; cultural awareness training; security briefings
EFMP (Exceptional Family Member Program): Fleet and Family Support Center; enrollment required; EFMP screening mandatory before Bahrain orders; Bahrain has modern private hospitals but limited military medical specialist access; complex cases require travel to UAE, Germany (LRMC), or CONUS

Local Area & Quality of Life

Climate: Desert/arid; extremely hot dry summers (average high 107F/42C in July-August; extreme heat waves exceeding 115F/46C possible); warm mild winters (average low 57F/14C in January); very low humidity in summer but humidity spikes in spring/fall; dust storms (shamal) possible; very little rainfall
Cost of Living: Moderate; Bahrain is less expensive than UAE but more than many non-Gulf OCONUS locations; duty-free shopping reduces costs on electronics and luxury goods; OHA and COLA adjustments help; housing in certain areas is expensive; eating out ranges widely in cost
Nearby Attractions: Manama’s Souq (traditional market) and modern malls; Bahrain Fort (UNESCO, ancient Dilmun civilization); Al Fateh Grand Mosque; Formula 1 Bahrain International Circuit (Bahrain Grand Prix, March annually); Dubai, UAE (340 km, approximately 3 hours, world-class shopping, Burj Khalifa, desert safaris); Saudi Arabia via King Fahd Causeway (approximately 30 km); Bahrain National Museum; Tree of Life (ancient tree in the desert, 25 km); pearl diving heritage; Bahrain Pearling Path (UNESCO)
Spouse Employment: On-base employment through NAF, AAFES/NEX, commissary, DoDEA, and contractor positions; off-base employment in Bahrain requires work authorization; English widely spoken in Bahrain’s international business community; banking and finance sector employs many expats; remote work common; FFSC assists; Bahrain has a relatively liberal social environment compared to some Gulf states

OCONUS-Specific Information

SOFA: U.S.-Bahrain Defense Cooperation Agreement governs U.S. personnel; covers legal jurisdiction, customs, vehicle registration, and operational matters; Bahrain is a strong U.S. ally and host nation relationship is excellent
Host Nation Rules: Bahraini laws apply off-base; Bahrain is a constitutional monarchy with Islamic law influences but is generally moderate and cosmopolitan by Gulf standards; alcohol is legal in Bahrain (unlike Saudi Arabia) in licensed venues; public displays of affection are discouraged; dress modestly in public (especially in traditional areas and mosques); Ramadan restrictions on public eating/drinking during daylight hours should be respected
Curfew: No formal SOFA curfew; unit-level liberty policies apply; Bahrain is relatively safe for off-base activities but security awareness is important given regional tensions
Ration Card / Customs: Limited ration card system; Bahrain has low import duties; duty-free purchases at airport; alcohol limits for personal import; Bahrain customs generally straightforward
Vehicle Registration: SOFA vehicles may use U.S. plates or register locally; Bahraini driving license or international permit required; right-hand traffic (Bahrain drives on the right, same as U.S.); Bahraini traffic can be aggressive; highway speeds are high; road quality generally good
Language and Culture: Arabic (Gulf dialect) is the official language; English is widely spoken throughout Bahrain in business and services; Bahraini culture blends Gulf Arab traditions with a historically cosmopolitan merchant culture; Islamic calendar affects business hours especially during Ramadan and Eid; Friday is the day of communal prayer (reduced business hours); hospitality is highly valued
Currency and Banking: Bahraini Dinar (BHD), pegged to USD; on-base banking available; local banks widely available; ATMs throughout Manama; credit cards widely accepted; USD cash often accepted near U.S. installations
Travel Restrictions: Freedom of movement within Bahrain; King Fahd Causeway to Saudi Arabia (passport required for Saudi entry, U.S. citizens need Saudi visa); UAE and Kuwait accessible by air (15-30 min flights); some regional countries may require special command approval for travel; unit travel policies apply; awareness of Gulf regional security is important
Mail: FPO AE address assigned; FPO mail through military postal system; DHL and FedEx available for commercial shipping; Bahrain Post for local service
Pets: Bahrain pet import requires rabies vaccination certificate; microchip; health certificate from accredited veterinarian; Bahrain Ministry of Agriculture import permit; dogs and cats are the most common pets; some breeds restricted; Islamic cultural context means dogs are sometimes less publicly welcome in Bahrain; large dogs may face additional restrictions; verify current requirements before PCS

Last updated: 2026-02-23
Sources: https://www.cnic.navy.mil/regions/cnreurafcent/installations/nsabahrain.html; https://installations.militaryonesource.mil/in-depth-overview/naval-support-activity-bahrain; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NavalSupportActivityBahrain