BAHRAIN: Spouses of U.S. sailors can return, with children likely to follow

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In 2004, as the war in Iraq heated up, the Pentagon ordered all family members of sailors stationed in the Persian Gulf island-nation of Bahrain to return to the U.S. As a safety measure, 650 spouses and children were evacuated in July of that year.

It was a morale downer for the sailors. And it struck at the heart of the Bahraini government’s preferred image as a safe and civil place in a turbulent region -- the kind of spot where international corporations would feel confident investing their money.

Fast forward to last week: The Pentagon, after assessing the current level of safety, announced that spouses could return to Bahrain. It is expected the order will include children by fall of 2009.

Two hundred sailors immediately applied to have their spouses join them -- even though it meant extending their deployments from one year to two.

Vice Adm. Bill Gortney, commander of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command, is particularly pleased at the change. In 2004, as chief of staff, it was his job to oversee the evacuation.

The return of families is a sign that the U.S. military, which has 2,800 personnel in Bahrain, is here for the long run, Gortney said. ‘We’ve been here for 60 years,’ he said. ‘En shellah (God willing), we’ll be here another 60.’

The ruling family of Bahrain is also pleased. Among other things, the crown prince sends his two sons to a Department of Defense school on the U.S. base.

--Tony Perry in Bahrain

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