Naval Support Activity Bahrain Naval Support Activity Bahrain ( or NSA Bahrain ) is a United States Navy base , situated in the Kingdom of Bahrain and is home to U . S . Naval Forces Central Command and United States Fifth Fleet . It is the primary base in the region for the naval and marine activities in support of Operation Enduring Freedom ( OEF ) and formerly Operation Iraqi Freedom ( OIF ) , to include when the latter was changed to ( OND ) until the end of the Iraq War . A former installation of the Royal Navy , it was transferred to the U . S . government in 1971 . The commander of Navy Region Southwest Asia is responsible for NSA Bahrain and Camp Lemonnier in Djibouti . Navy Region Southwest Asia falls under the oversight of U . S . Naval Forces Central Command ( COMUSNAVCENT ) . Vice Admiral John W . Miller , Commander , U . S . Naval Forces Central Command and United States Fifth Fleet . History . Although Naval Support Activity , Bahrain has existed for slightly more than a decade , the continued presence of the United States in Juffair , Manama , has evolved from small detachments organized nearly 60 years ago into the modern infrastructure of today . NSA Bahrain provides support through logistical , supply and protection as well as a Navy Exchange facility and Morale , Welfare and Recreation programs to both United States Armed Forces and coalition assets . Initially recognized as the U . S . Middle East Force in 1948 , what was to become Naval Support Activity Bahrain began as a small continuous U . S . Navy presence , which later transformed into a small shore facility in Juffair , occupying Royal Navy territory while providing logistical and communications support to Marine Expeditionary vessels . In 1971 , the permanent Royal Navy presence in Bahrain officially ended and the United States Navy moved onto the previously occupied by British operations . Eight years later the location was named Administrative Support Unit ( ASU ) Bahrain . In an effort to more accurately reflect the increasing role of United States Navy activities in the region , the organization was renamed Administrative Support Unit Southwest Asia in 1992 . In 1997 , under the aegis of the Military Construction Program , facilities located in Juffair saw an increased buildup , resulting in what is known today as Naval Support Activity Bahrain . In 2003 , facilities at NSA Bahrain began expanding after Operation Iraqi Freedom began . In 2006 , a large food court , known as the " Freedom Souq " and an expanded Navy Exchange opened , expanding morale and welfare support to service members and tenant commands . In 2010 , the Navy embarked on a five - year , $ 580 - million project to expand the base , proposing to essentially double the size of the current 62 - acre facility . The first phase of construction , targeted for completion by fall 2012 , will include a new perimeter wall and security gate along with several new utility buildings . The second phase will expand the port operations with a new harbor patrol facility and include a small - craft basin . That phase began in late 2010 and is scheduled to be completed by late 2012 . New barracks , a dining facility , a renovated recreation center and administrative buildings will be completed by 2015 , according to the Navy ' s plan . The final phase will also include a flyover bridge connecting NSA Bahrain to the port facility at Mina Salman . Kennel investigation . A US Navy Judge Advocate General Manual investigation found that misconduct , hazing , and harassment had occurred at the base ' s Military Working Dog Division in 2005 and 2006 . The investigation stated that the unit , under the direction of Chief Master - at - Arms Michael Toussaint , had condoned gambling , fraternization , and socializing with prostitutes . Unit members were routinely harassed and humiliated . In spite of the investigation ' s findings , Toussaint was later promoted and remained in the Navy . Toussaint ' s successor in the unit , Master - at - Arms 1st Class Jennifer Valdivia , committed suicide after being informed of the report ' s findings . The Navy is reexamining actions taken in response to the investigation . The Navy announced on October 21 , 2009 that Toussaint had been removed from his current leadership assignment and placed in a temporary deck duty position . His request to extend his current enlistment was denied and a mandatory retirement date was set for January 2010 . Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus issued a “ Secretarial letter of censure ” on Toussaint , which was placed in the sailor ’ s permanent military file . Mabus stated that he would be reviewing Toussaint ' s retirement pay - grade determination . A Navy spokesman stated that this meant that a decision would be made as to whether Toussaint would be allowed to keep his rank and retirement pay .