Miami Native Protects U.S. Navy Forces in the Middle East

NAVAL SUPPORT ACTIVITY BAHRAIN – A 2012 Miami Dade College graduate and Miami, Florida native is a part of Naval Forces Central Command keeping watch over one of the world’s most volatile regions at Naval Support Activity, Bahrain.

Seaman Michael Harari is a mass communication specialist at the Manama, Bahrain Navy base, forward-deployed to the Arabian Gulf in the U.S. Navy’s 5th Fleet.

The Navy’s 5th Fleet’s area of operation encompasses about 2.5 million square miles of water area and includes the Arabian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, Red Sea and parts of the Indian Ocean.

The expanse comprises 20 countries, including three critical choke points at the Strait of Hormuz, the Suez Canal and the Strait of Bab al Mandeb at the southern tip of Yemen.

“I’ve got the kind of job that most people dream about. I get paid to take photos and video and travel the world. I get to meet everyone,” said Harari. “Here I’m getting on the job training for radio broadcasting and developing skills in podcasting. I love the food here.”

The U.S. Naval Forces Central Command’s mission is to conduct maritime security operations, theater security cooperation efforts, and strengthen partner nations’ maritime capabilities in order to promote security and stability in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations.

Harari is receiving firsthand experience working in a foreign country and being part of a team vital to our nation’s defense, keeping the world’s waterways open and safe from hostile forces.

See Also

Hurricane Season: What to do when a hurricane strikes

“Some of my ancestors grew up in the Middle East so I’m learning about my heritage,” said Harari. “There are plenty of opportunities for exploring Europe.”

Harari realizes the significance of serving his country abroad and is very proud of the work he is doing as part of Naval Forces Central Command, Bahrain.

“I am following a family tradition of Navy service. My grandfather served in WWII,” said Harari. “I was studying accounting and realized it was not for me. A guy at my gym was a recruiter and when I realized accounting wasn’t for me he told me about the Navy and here I am.”