Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jackson Brown
NAVAL SUPPORT ACTIVITY BAHRAIN – Major Elishama Wheeler, a Richmond, Virginia, native, wanted to be a Marine from an early age.
“My grandfather was in the Navy, and my father was in the Army, but there were two deacons in my church who stood out to me," said Wheeler. "I saw something in them that really intrigued me, and the way they carried themselves inspired me. When I found out they were Marines, I was all in.”
Now, 20 years later and half a world away at Naval Support Activity Bahrain, Wheeler serves at U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT) / U.S. 5th fleet.
“It is exciting being in the Middle East,” said Wheeler. “My job allows me to travel at times to 15 other countries between Europe and the Middle East. The challenge is that this is a very fast paced environment, and I had never been immersed in the Navy. I now know what the Marines do for the Navy and more about what the Navy does for the Marines.”
Wheeler, a graduate of Monacan High School, is an amphibious exercise planner at U.S. 5th Fleet, headquartered in Manama, Bahrain.
“I enable marine and amphibious partner nation activities and exercises in the Central Command area of operations,” said Wheeler.
Wheeler credits success at U.S. 5th Fleet to many of the lessons learned in Richmond.
“Hard work, communicating effectively, and learning how to play nice with people are invaluable lessons I learned growing up,” said Wheeler.
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.
“We support the NAVCENT objective which is working closely with partner nations and allies in the region,” said Wheeler.
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.
“Having my family with me in a forward deployed location is great,” said Wheeler. “The other aspect of this command that I enjoy is being part of an organization that is responsible for ensuring the free flow of commerce.”
Serving in the Marines means Wheeler 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 and Marines 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 and Marines to earn distinction in their command, community, and career, Wheeler is most proud of the support from his family.
“It has taken a lot for them to follow me around the world for the past 18 years,” said Wheeler.
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied upon assets, Wheeler and other Marines know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes contributing to the Navy the nation needs.
Now, 20 years later and half a world away at Naval Support Activity Bahrain, Wheeler serves at U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT) / U.S. 5th fleet.
“It is exciting being in the Middle East,” said Wheeler. “My job allows me to travel at times to 15 other countries between Europe and the Middle East. The challenge is that this is a very fast paced environment, and I had never been immersed in the Navy. I now know what the Marines do for the Navy and more about what the Navy does for the Marines.”
Wheeler, a graduate of Monacan High School, is an amphibious exercise planner at U.S. 5th Fleet, headquartered in Manama, Bahrain.
“I enable marine and amphibious partner nation activities and exercises in the Central Command area of operations,” said Wheeler.
Wheeler credits success at U.S. 5th Fleet to many of the lessons learned in Richmond.
“Hard work, communicating effectively, and learning how to play nice with people are invaluable lessons I learned growing up,” said Wheeler.
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.
“We support the NAVCENT objective which is working closely with partner nations and allies in the region,” said Wheeler.
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.
“Having my family with me in a forward deployed location is great,” said Wheeler. “The other aspect of this command that I enjoy is being part of an organization that is responsible for ensuring the free flow of commerce.”
Serving in the Marines means Wheeler 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 and Marines 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 and Marines to earn distinction in their command, community, and career, Wheeler is most proud of the support from his family.
“It has taken a lot for them to follow me around the world for the past 18 years,” said Wheeler.
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied upon assets, Wheeler and other Marines know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes contributing to the Navy the nation needs.