The President of the United States of America visited the Kingdom of Bahrain! Isn’t that way cool? And I never even got to see him either. That’s way NOT cool.
I’ve known about it for days, but I’ve delayes saying anything until it was over. Yes, it’s public knowledge and has been in the papers for days, but I was still uncomfortable saying anything ahead of time. I guess I’ve had too much OPSEC (operational security) pounded into my head.
He arrived Saturday. There were Bahraini and American flags flying around the city. Bahraini, American, Bahraini, American–several flagpoles in a row, alternating. That was cool. Bahraini flags are pretty common around here, but the only American flag is the one on base. So it was nice to see the Stars and Stripes.
There were all kinds of cops and security people out on the streets too, at least the main road (for Jeremy–the one around the Pearl Roundabout). I saw cops on horseback, the regular street cops (they wear white uniforms around here) and Bahraini special forces guys (completely in black, including their helmets) with cool-looking, short, and assuredly very lethal guns. There was also a truck with an automatic rifle (i.e. machine gun) mounted in the bed. It looked very much like the one we shot in San Diego. May be the same model or similar model, I don’t know. It was all very exciting, but no Presidential procession.
The next day, Sunday, he was to visit the base in the morning. Everyone on base had been told not to come to work until 10:00. I had to come in early around 8:00 due to some last minute order changes some of our guys had, that I had to take care of, and I decided to walk. I was fairly sure it would be difficult, if not impossible to drive onto base. I was right. I’m glad I walked.
I no sooner stepped out of my door (i.e. left the apartment building) than I saw the same security guys from the day before right out in front of my building! (ok, so I don’t know if it was the same exact guys, but they were cops and special forces guys, ok?) I do live close to the base, but I hadn’t really expected that. Well, I walked to base along my usual route which did not take me near those guys but which does take me through about three empty lots and as I approached the base I noticed that the road which leads to the vehicle gate was blocked off with a big, black, SUV, official-looking truck. More cops around it. Glad I didn’t drive. I walked up to the pedestrian gate, officially known as Pass and ID, and presented my ID and was passed through–to a bag check. We don’t usually get bag checks–just once in awhile, but I was pretty certain today would be one. I was right. That’s why I left my pocketknife behind. We’re allowed to have them, as long as the blade is three inches or less (yes, mine is legal), but I wasn’t taking any chances with any delays.
When I entered base the first thing I noticed was an ambulance parked outside medical. “Duh” I thought. “Of course.” I wished I could have been one of the sailors that got to hear the President talk to them, but the room where that is done only holds a couple hundred people. I didn’t get picked (or voluntold–take your pick). I was going to go up on the roof around the time the President was to leave, but I didn’t make it. The computer system I use to create and modify people’s orders was proving more intransigent than usual. To say I was “wrestling” with it was just barely metaphorical.
So I missed the visit, but at least he made it here safely, visited here safely, and left safely. And that’s what matters. At least from Fifth Fleet in Bahrain’s point of view. Still, it would have been a great “bragging rights” thing to tell the kids and grandkids someday (assuming of course I ever have any).
What I really wanted to do was to see a Secret Service agent. Oh well, maybe I’ll have a chance someday…. Don’t get me wrong–seeing an actual President–any President–would be way cool too. Well at least I was just a couple hundred yards away from him. Does that count for anything?