The Department of Defense announced yesterday the death of a U.S. Navy civilian who was supporting Operation Inherent Resolve in Bahrain.

Blane D. Bussell, 60, of Virginia, died Jan. 26, 2016, in Manama, Bahrain, of non-combat related causes. His hometown-of-record was not indicated. The Department of Defense release did not say Bussell’s death was under investigation.

He was assigned to Forward Deployed Regional Maintenance Center Detachment Bahrain at Naval Support Activity Bahrain. Naval Support Activity Bahrain is a United States Navy base in the Kingdom of Bahrain and is home to U.S. Naval Forces Central Command and United States Fifth Fleet. They provide services and support to ships at sea, remote sites throughout the region, and military and civilian personnel living in Bahrain. The home page for the Naval Support Activity is here.

This base was originally known as HMS Jufair, established and occupied by the British Navy. This outpost was necessary to control pirates who raided British Empire ships east of Suez. America established a Navy presence there during World War II and the facility was transferred to the United States government in 1971.

Naval Support Activity Bahrain currently provides support through logistical, supply and protection as well as a Navy Exchange facility and Morale, Welfare and Recreation programs to both United States Armed Forces and coalition assets. It is the primary base in the region for the naval and marine activities in support of Operation Inherent Resolve.

For additional information on Mr. Bussell, including previous work with the Navy or previous duties as a civilian contractor, media sources may contact Naval Sea Systems Command Public Affairs at (202) 781-4123, or U.S. Naval Forces Central Command Public Affairs at 011-973-1785-4562 or navcentpao@me.navy.mil.