Children allowed to return to defense personnel in Bahrain

The Navy announced Sunday that young children of military personnel in Bahrain will be allowed to return to the Persian Gulf nation.

Spouses and children of service members were ordered to evacuate Bahrain in July 2004, based on fear that U.S. interests would be subject of attacks by extremists.

The return of adult family members had been announced in November 2008. Young children will be allowed back effective immediately, a Navy statement said.

“We are extremely pleased with the policy change,” Vice Adm. Bill Gortney, the commander of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command, said in the statement. “The return of family members of all ages is an extremely important sign of the security and stability in the region. It will also greatly improve the quality of life for our service members and DoD civilians.”

Bahrain is the headquarters of the Navy’s 5th Fleet.