DOD to allow families on Bahrain deployments

[unhappycamper]

DOD to allow families on Bahrain deployments
By Sandra Jontz, Stars and Stripes
European edition, Thursday, November 6, 2008

Spouses and adult children now can accompany Defense Department members with orders to Bahrain after the Pentagon lifted a four-year ban that prevented dependents from following military personnel.

But the change applies only to adult family members for all DOD personnel permanently assigned to Bahrain, said Lt. Nathan Christensen, a spokesman with U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/5th Fleet, headquartered in Manama.

In July 2004, safety concerns in the region forced families to relocate.

"The strong security infrastructure on and off base contributed greatly to the lifting of the ban and having dependents return," he said.

However, logistics — such as having enough schoolteachers and medical personnel for children — mean those younger than 18 can’t come, for now. The policy is under review.


Rest of article at: http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=58665