Hundreds of U.S. sailors and their families were moved out of Naval Support Activity Bahrain after Iranian missiles and drones struck the installation, according to NPR. Evacuations at other U.S. bases in the region have also taken place, though many details remain limited.
Bahrain hosts the Navy’s 5th Fleet, a central hub for maritime security and protection of commercial shipping in the Middle East. The island lies about 124 nautical miles from Iran, putting it within range of Iranian drones and missiles. Before U.S. strikes on Iran on Feb. 28, roughly 8,000 people were stationed at NSA Bahrain.
NSA Bahrain was hit multiple times on the opening day of the conflict. Social media footage and satellite imagery from Planet indicate a ballistic missile and Iranian drones struck the base, and at least seven buildings in and around the installation were struck between Feb. 28 and March 6.
A Navy spokesperson confirmed that about 1,500 sailors, their families and several hundred pets were relocated back to the United States. Many began arriving in Norfolk, Va., home of the world’s largest naval base, by mid-March. Other returning flights used hubs such as MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa and Joint Base Charleston in South Carolina.
Community organizations in Norfolk reported that many evacuees arrived with almost nothing, prompting urgent appeals for basic supplies. American Legion Post 327 held a spaghetti dinner for some returning sailors and accepted donations after servicemembers arrived with only backpacks and no extra uniforms or belongings, according to the post’s leadership.
The Navy has provided a range of services for evacuated personnel and families, including crisis counseling, financial and legal assistance, relocation support, education resources and coordination for child and youth programs, said Lt. Cmdr. Kara Handley. The USO also provided assistance to sailors arriving in Norfolk.
The Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society has distributed roughly $1 million to about 2,000 sailors and their families since evacuations began, the group’s chief operations officer, retired Rear Adm. Dawn Cutler, said. Cutler described families leaving quickly — in one case a mother with a two-week-old, a two-year-old and a dog departed with a single suitcase — and now facing uncertainty about next steps, including whether they will return to overseas duty. The relief payments are meant to cover immediate essentials and provide bridge loans for living expenses while families wait for government reimbursements, which can take months.
Moving pets complicated the evacuation. Initial guidance reportedly barred pet movement before rules changed; some animals were placed on different flights and volunteers stepped in to supply carriers and other needed items.
Service members deployed abroad do not maintain U.S. homes while overseas; the military requires they designate a U.S. safe-haven location for emergency relocation. Some evacuees are staying with relatives, while others remain on U.S. bases.
On April 1 the Navy issued updated guidance for evacuated sailors and families, clarifying reimbursement policies for hotel stays and covering those temporarily moved to locations such as Italy and Germany before repatriation to the United States. The Navy has not yet provided details about vehicles and household goods left behind during rapid departures, nor has it told evacuees when or if they will return to their Middle East posts.
Evacuations and the strain on community resources underscore the logistical and personal challenges faced by military families displaced by strikes on overseas installations. Many questions about timing, logistics and long-term arrangements remain unanswered as support organizations and the Navy continue to assist those affected.