Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jackson Brown
NAVAL SUPPORT ACTIVITY BAHRAIN – Petty Officer 2nd Class Tania Banks, a Jacksonville, Florida, native, joined the Navy looking for stability in her life.
“I joined to support my children,” said Banks. “I am a single parent and we needed stability and that is what the Navy provided for us.”
Now, 10 years later and half a world away at Naval Support Activity Bahrain, Banks serves at U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT) / U.S. 5th fleet.
Banks, a graduate of Fountain Fort Carson High School, is a logistics specialist at U.S. 5th Fleet, headquartered in Manama, Bahrain.
“As a logistics specialist, my job is to track and expedite high priority parts to ships in our area of responsibilty,” said Banks. “We also coordinate in port and out to sea hazardous material off-loads to support operational units.”
Banks is a part of Task Force 53, priority material office, which coordinates replenishment-at-sea efforts and delivers passengers, mail, cargo, ammunition, provisions and fuel throughout the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations. They use air, land and sea modes, helping to ensure sailors aboard ships have what they need to complete their missions.
Banks credits success at U.S. 5th Fleet, and in the Navy, to many of the lessons learned in Jacksonville.
“Growing up as an Army dependent and living in different states, I attained the skill sets necessary to be successful in the military,” said Banks.
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 enjoy the opportunity to meet all the different people,” said Banks. “I have met people from Ethiopia, India, and all over world. This is not like any place I have ever been before.”
Serving in the Navy means Banks 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.”
Though there are many ways for sailors to earn distinction in their command, community, and career, Banks is most proud of earning the enlisted information warfare specialist qualification.
“The pin means I am competent and possess a level of excellence and proficiency in information dominance,” said Banks.
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied upon assets, Banks 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 for me means I am protecting and providing for my family,” said Banks.
Now, 10 years later and half a world away at Naval Support Activity Bahrain, Banks serves at U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT) / U.S. 5th fleet.
Banks, a graduate of Fountain Fort Carson High School, is a logistics specialist at U.S. 5th Fleet, headquartered in Manama, Bahrain.
“As a logistics specialist, my job is to track and expedite high priority parts to ships in our area of responsibilty,” said Banks. “We also coordinate in port and out to sea hazardous material off-loads to support operational units.”
Banks is a part of Task Force 53, priority material office, which coordinates replenishment-at-sea efforts and delivers passengers, mail, cargo, ammunition, provisions and fuel throughout the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations. They use air, land and sea modes, helping to ensure sailors aboard ships have what they need to complete their missions.
Banks credits success at U.S. 5th Fleet, and in the Navy, to many of the lessons learned in Jacksonville.
“Growing up as an Army dependent and living in different states, I attained the skill sets necessary to be successful in the military,” said Banks.
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 enjoy the opportunity to meet all the different people,” said Banks. “I have met people from Ethiopia, India, and all over world. This is not like any place I have ever been before.”
Serving in the Navy means Banks 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.”
Though there are many ways for sailors to earn distinction in their command, community, and career, Banks is most proud of earning the enlisted information warfare specialist qualification.
“The pin means I am competent and possess a level of excellence and proficiency in information dominance,” said Banks.
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied upon assets, Banks 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 for me means I am protecting and providing for my family,” said Banks.