US navy stages oil spill drill at Bahrain port

0 Comments | AFP, November, 2007

MANAMA (AFP) — US naval forces in the Gulf said they carried out a crisis response exercise involving a mock oil spill on Tuesday at a Bahraini port.

The Bahrain-based Fifth Fleet said the drill was part of week-long exercises aimed at boosting its capacity to respond to crises. It linked the drills to potential disaster situations or oil spills, without mentioning military conflict.

Tuesday's exercise involved the use of helicopters to evacuate survivors and transport relief supplies.

"One cannot predict when or where a natural disaster is going to take place. But we can train to improve our response when a host nation requests our assistance," Rear Admiral Terence McKnight told reporters.

The exercises come as the White House ratchets up its...