Approximately 1,500 U.S. Navy sailors, their families, and pets have been evacuated from Naval Support Activity (NSA) Bahrain and other U.S. military bases in the Middle East following missile and drone attacks.
The evacuations began after NSA Bahrain, which hosts the Navy's 5th Fleet, sustained multiple strikes between February 28 and March 6. Personnel began arriving in the United States by mid-March, often with minimal personal belongings, prompting various organizations to provide support.
Background of Evacuation
Naval Support Activity (NSA) Bahrain, a central hub for maritime security operations and home to the Navy's 5th Fleet, is located in the Persian Gulf approximately 124 nautical miles from Iran's coast. Prior to February 28, when the U.S. attacked Iran, approximately 8,000 personnel were stationed at the base. Following this, NSA Bahrain was reportedly struck multiple times by missiles and drones between February 28 and March 6. Satellite imagery indicates that at least seven buildings at or near the base sustained damage during this period.
In response to these events, a Navy spokesman confirmed the relocation of approximately 1,500 sailors, their families, and several hundred pets back to the United States. Similar evacuations also occurred at other U.S. military bases in the Middle East.
Evacuation Process and Initial Challenges
Sailors began arriving in the United States by mid-March, primarily in Norfolk, Virginia, which is home to a major naval base. Other receiving locations and hubs for incoming flights included MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Florida, and Joint Base Charleston in South Carolina. Some families were also temporarily relocated to Italy and Germany before returning to the U.S.
Many evacuees arrived with minimal personal belongings, often limited to what could fit in a backpack, with some reportedly arriving with only the clothes they were wearing. Challenges during the relocation process included difficulties with pet transportation, which required coordination for carriers and flights, as initial restrictions were eventually modified to allow animal transport. Military personnel relocated overseas typically do not maintain a U.S. residence, instead designating a "safe haven" for emergency relocation. As a result, some evacuated sailors are staying with relatives, while others are housed on U.S. bases.
Support and Assistance Efforts
Various organizations and the Navy have provided support to the evacuated personnel and their families:
- Community Groups: American Legion Post 327 in Norfolk, Virginia, provided basic supplies such as toiletries and hygiene products, and hosted meals for arriving personnel.
- USO: The USO offered aid to service members and their families arriving in Norfolk and other locations.
- Navy Services: The Navy has provided crisis counseling, financial and legal assistance, relocation support, educational resources, and coordination for child and youth programs.
- Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society: This organization has disbursed $1 million to approximately 2,000 sailors and their families since the evacuations began. These funds primarily covered essential expenses and provided bridge loans for living costs while families awaited government reimbursements, a process that can take months. Dawn Cutler, the chief operations officer, confirmed the nature of this financial assistance.
Unresolved Issues and Future Outlook
As of April 1, the Navy issued updated guidance regarding reimbursements for temporary living expenses, including hotel stays, for evacuated personnel and for families who were temporarily relocated to Italy and Germany.
However, questions remain regarding the status of personal property, such as vehicles and furniture left behind at the Middle East bases. The Navy has not yet provided official information concerning when, or if, evacuees will return to their previous postings.