Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jackson Brown
NAVAL SUPPORT ACTIVITY BAHRAIN – Lt. Kevin Fahlund, a Ft. Worth, Texas, native, joined the Navy to follow in his grandfather’s footsteps.
“My grandfather was a pipefitter in the Navy during WWII and I decided to go the Navy route because of him,” said Fahlund.
Now, 23 years later and half a world away at Naval Support Activity Bahrain, Fahlund serves at U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT) / U.S. 5th fleet.
“I have spent a lot of time in this area from previous commands,” said Fahlund. “We must learn their culture, and respect their culture, while protecting our western way of life and respecting their way of life.”
Fahlund, a graduate of W.E. Boswell High School, is an anti-terrorism force protection officer at U.S. 5th Fleet, headquartered in Manama, Bahrain.
“I am the Navy component for force protection for all of the marine expeditionary ships and the marines in the area on all things pertaining to anti-terorism and force protection,” said Fahlund. “I analyze all threats or force protection issues anywhere sailors and Marines will be deployed to.”
Fahlund credits success at U.S. 5th Fleet, and in the Navy, to many of the lessons learned in Ft. Worth.
“Don’t give up on any dreams you might have on bettering yourself and those around you,” said Fahlund.
U.S. 5th Fleet directs naval operations to ensure maritime security and stability in the Central Region, which connects the Mediterranean Sea and Pacific Ocean through the western Indian Ocean. They work with partner nations to ensure freedom of navigation and the free flow of commerce in international waterways.
The Navy’s U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations encompasses about 2.5 million square miles of ocean, and includes the Arabian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, Red Sea and parts of the Indian Ocean. This expanse, comprised of 20 countries, includes three critical choke points; the Strait of Hormuz, the Suez Canal and the Strait of Bab al Mandeb at the southern tip of Yemen.
“I really appreciate the uniqueness that occurs with the integration of Marines and sailors,” said Fahlund. “It is amazing how well we work together, and it provides a mutual respect of each other’s abilites and knowledge.”
Serving in the Navy means Fahlund is part of a world that is taking on new importance in America’s focus on rebuilding military readiness, strengthening alliances and reforming business practices in support of the National Defense Strategy.
A key element of the Navy is tied to the fact that America is a maritime nation, and that the nation’s prosperity is tied to the ability to operate freely on the world’s oceans. More than 70 percent of the Earth’s surface is covered by water; 80 percent of the world’s population lives close to a coast; and 90 percent of all global trade by volume travels by sea.
“Our priorities center on people, capabilities and processes, and will be achieved by our focus on speed, value, results and partnerships,” said Secretary of the Navy Richard V. Spencer. “Readiness, lethality and modernization are the requirements driving these priorities.”
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied upon assets, Fahlund and other sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes contributing to the Navy the nation needs.
“Serving in the Navy means pride and patriotism,”said Fahlund.
Now, 23 years later and half a world away at Naval Support Activity Bahrain, Fahlund serves at U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT) / U.S. 5th fleet.
“I have spent a lot of time in this area from previous commands,” said Fahlund. “We must learn their culture, and respect their culture, while protecting our western way of life and respecting their way of life.”
Fahlund, a graduate of W.E. Boswell High School, is an anti-terrorism force protection officer at U.S. 5th Fleet, headquartered in Manama, Bahrain.
“I am the Navy component for force protection for all of the marine expeditionary ships and the marines in the area on all things pertaining to anti-terorism and force protection,” said Fahlund. “I analyze all threats or force protection issues anywhere sailors and Marines will be deployed to.”
Fahlund credits success at U.S. 5th Fleet, and in the Navy, to many of the lessons learned in Ft. Worth.
“Don’t give up on any dreams you might have on bettering yourself and those around you,” said Fahlund.
U.S. 5th Fleet directs naval operations to ensure maritime security and stability in the Central Region, which connects the Mediterranean Sea and Pacific Ocean through the western Indian Ocean. They work with partner nations to ensure freedom of navigation and the free flow of commerce in international waterways.
The Navy’s U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations encompasses about 2.5 million square miles of ocean, and includes the Arabian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, Red Sea and parts of the Indian Ocean. This expanse, comprised of 20 countries, includes three critical choke points; the Strait of Hormuz, the Suez Canal and the Strait of Bab al Mandeb at the southern tip of Yemen.
“I really appreciate the uniqueness that occurs with the integration of Marines and sailors,” said Fahlund. “It is amazing how well we work together, and it provides a mutual respect of each other’s abilites and knowledge.”
Serving in the Navy means Fahlund is part of a world that is taking on new importance in America’s focus on rebuilding military readiness, strengthening alliances and reforming business practices in support of the National Defense Strategy.
A key element of the Navy is tied to the fact that America is a maritime nation, and that the nation’s prosperity is tied to the ability to operate freely on the world’s oceans. More than 70 percent of the Earth’s surface is covered by water; 80 percent of the world’s population lives close to a coast; and 90 percent of all global trade by volume travels by sea.
“Our priorities center on people, capabilities and processes, and will be achieved by our focus on speed, value, results and partnerships,” said Secretary of the Navy Richard V. Spencer. “Readiness, lethality and modernization are the requirements driving these priorities.”
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied upon assets, Fahlund and other sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes contributing to the Navy the nation needs.
“Serving in the Navy means pride and patriotism,”said Fahlund.