Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jackson G. Brown
NAVAL SUPPORT ACTIVITY BAHRAIN – Seaman Connor Keenum, a Little Rock, Arkansas, native, joined the Navy to continue his family history of military service.
Now, one year later and half a world away at Naval Support Activity Bahrain, Keenum serves at U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT) / U.S. 5th fleet.
“The most exciting thing about serving in 5th Fleet is the opportunity to travel around the Middle East,” said Keenum.
Keenum, a Premier High School of Little Rock graduate, is an information systems technician at U.S. 5th Fleet, headquartered in Manama, Bahrain.
“As an information systems technician, I am responsible for installing, operating and maintaining state of the art information systems,” said Keenum.
Keenum is a part of Task Force 57, which provides airborne maritime patrol and reconnaissance throughout the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations. The task force supports three task groups comprised of over 500 personnel, operating from three countries with three variants of P-3 Orion aircraft and the remotely-piloted Broad Area Maritime Surveillance-Demonstrator (BAMS-D).
Keenum credits success at U.S. 5th Fleet, and in the Navy, to many of the lessons learned in Little Rock.
“From my hometown, I learned the value of hard work and efficiency,” said Keenum. “I use these principles daily while serving in the Navy.”
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.
“My role at 5th Fleet is important, because I support the aircraft responsible for the Navy's anti-submarine missions,” said Keenum.
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.
“The most unique thing about serving in 5th Fleet is being away from the U.S.,” said Keenum. “Although, I do enjoy the culture here in Bahrain.”
Serving in the Navy means Keenum 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, Keenum is most proud passing the calculus College Level Examination Program exam.
“I'm proud of this because it helps me stay on track for my future and gets me closer to earning a bachelor’s degree,” said Keenum.
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied upon assets, Keenum and other sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes contributing to the Navy the nation needs.
“The Navy is an opportunity to build credentials for my career, save money and become more professional," said Keenum.
“The most exciting thing about serving in 5th Fleet is the opportunity to travel around the Middle East,” said Keenum.
Keenum, a Premier High School of Little Rock graduate, is an information systems technician at U.S. 5th Fleet, headquartered in Manama, Bahrain.
“As an information systems technician, I am responsible for installing, operating and maintaining state of the art information systems,” said Keenum.
Keenum is a part of Task Force 57, which provides airborne maritime patrol and reconnaissance throughout the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations. The task force supports three task groups comprised of over 500 personnel, operating from three countries with three variants of P-3 Orion aircraft and the remotely-piloted Broad Area Maritime Surveillance-Demonstrator (BAMS-D).
Keenum credits success at U.S. 5th Fleet, and in the Navy, to many of the lessons learned in Little Rock.
“From my hometown, I learned the value of hard work and efficiency,” said Keenum. “I use these principles daily while serving in the Navy.”
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.
“My role at 5th Fleet is important, because I support the aircraft responsible for the Navy's anti-submarine missions,” said Keenum.
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.
“The most unique thing about serving in 5th Fleet is being away from the U.S.,” said Keenum. “Although, I do enjoy the culture here in Bahrain.”
Serving in the Navy means Keenum 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, Keenum is most proud passing the calculus College Level Examination Program exam.
“I'm proud of this because it helps me stay on track for my future and gets me closer to earning a bachelor’s degree,” said Keenum.
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied upon assets, Keenum and other sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes contributing to the Navy the nation needs.
“The Navy is an opportunity to build credentials for my career, save money and become more professional," said Keenum.