Capt. Howes takes charge of NSA Bahrain

DT News Network/Manama

Capt. Cory R. Howes took charge as the new commanding officer of NSA Bahrain in a scheduled change of command ceremony here in Manama on June 11, 2015.

He replaced Capt. David J. Meron, who at the successful completion of his tour in Bahrain, will now be stationed at the University of Kansas as the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps (NROTC) commanding officer.

Speaking at the occasion, Capt. Meron said he was extremely honored for the support and friendship that NSA received from the government of Bahrain. "I consider myself fortunate to have served in this region for two years and to have been able to provide exceptional service to the fleet, which is our main responsibility," he added.

NSA Bahrain provides operational support to US and coalition forces operating throughout U.S. Central Command's Area of Responsibility (AOR). The US base operates and sustains superior facilities and services for its tenant commands, their deployed assets and military members, Department of Defense civilian personnel and dependents living in Bahrain and provides security to ships, aircraft, operational detachments and remote sites throughout the U.S. 5th Fleet Area of Operations (AOO).

The new commanding officer said he was deploying to Central Command since the 1990's and over the years he had watched NSA Bahrain grow into a preeminent, state-of-the-art fleet headquarters and naval facility. "The next few years will be another remarkable period of growth and change for NSA Bahrain,” said Howes, adding, “I am proud to be part of it and look forward to the teamwork ahead to get the mission done."

Capt. Howes grew up in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1993 and was designated a Naval Flight Officer in March 1995. He has flown more than 3000 hours in variants of the S-3 and P-3 aircraft. He is reporting from Commander, Navy Region Europe, Africa, and Southwest Asia where he served as the deputy commander.