Embassy celebrates BDF Golden Jubilee

Washington, Feb. 6 (BNA): Ambassador of the Kingdom of Bahrain to the United States, Shaikh Abdullah bin Rashid Al Khalifa, congratulated His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, His Royal Highness the Prime Minister, Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister, Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, and the Commander-in-Chief of Bahrain Defense Force, Field-Marshal Shaikh Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, on the 50th anniversary of the establishment of Bahrain Defense Force. This came during a dinner banquet hosted by the ambassador marking the 50th anniversary of the establishment of Bahrain Defense Force and the 70th anniversary of the Bahraini-US military relations. The ceremony was attended by the Undersecretary of the US Navy, Thomas Modly, the former Commander of the 5th Fleet, Vice Admiral Kevin Donegan, a number of officials in the US Ministries of Defense, Foreign Affairs and the Navy, as well as some experts and researchers in the defense field, in coordination with the military attaché at the Embassy of the Kingdom of Bahrain in Washington, DC., Brigadier General Tariq Gali. The ambassador delivered a speech in which he highlighted the achievements of Bahrain Defense Force, affirming that the support of His Majesty the King has contributed to making the BDF an example of professionalism, effectiveness and high combat readiness. He congratulated the guests on the 70th anniversary of Bahraini-American military relations, stressing the importance of reinforcing strategic Bahraini-American partnership to achieve common goals. He also viewed the joint operations carried out by the Bahraini and American forces in order to maintain regional and international security and stability, including their participation in the liberation of the State of Kuwait and in the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS, as well as the fight against terrorism and piracy in the Arabian Gulf, the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean. Vice Admiral Kevin Donegan congratulated the Kingdom of Bahrain on the occasions, praising the depth of the Bahraini-American partnership, which he described as strong, continuous and unique. He hailed the wisdom and leadership of His Majesty the King, which established the Bahrain Defense Force and led to its development. He also expressed appreciation to the Commander-in-Chief for the support of BDF to the 5th Fleet and the Central Marine Command. He also thanked the Minister of the Interior, Shaikh Rashid Bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, for the commitment of the Kingdom of Bahrain to provide protection and security for American soldiers and their families. The Vice Admiral added that the Kingdom of Bahrain has become a partner with the United States of America in maintaining regional maritime security including combating piracy, noting that the Kingdom of Bahrain was the first country to join the United States of America in its fight against the terrorist organization ISIS, and was the only ally in the US coalition for 54 days, where most attacks were launched from its territory or from US ships in the Arabian Gulf. The guests praised the professionalism of Bahrain Defense Force and the fundamental role played by the Kingdom of Bahrain as an important US ally outside of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).