By Mass Communications Specialist 1st Class Pat Migliaccio, Navy Office of Community Outreach
MANAMA, Bahrain – A Hutchinson native is serving overseas with Patrol Coastal Squadron 1, living and working at a Navy base in Manama, Bahrain.
Chief Tina DiBernardo is a logistics specialist with the Bahrain-based unit. Bahrain is a small island country situated near the western shores of the Arabian Gulf.
A Navy logistics specialist is responsible for the ordering, tracking and issuance of maintenance equipment.
“I enjoy the customer service asspect of helping the Sailors of the ships complete their mission,” said DiBernardo.
PC Squadron 1 supports Cyclone-class ships designed for coastal patrol and interdiction surveillance.
These ships provide the U.S. Navy with a fast, reliable platform that can respond to crises in a shallow water environment.
“I enjoy the challenges of meeting the needs of the ships we support,” said DiBernardo.
The PC Squadron 1 mission is to conduct coastal patrol, maritime security operations, high-v alue unit protection, maritime infrastructure protection, maritime interception operations, and special operations support in support of C5F objectives. The Cyclone-class are ideal platforms for littoral operations, bridging the gap between inshore and open ocean operational environments, and are well suited to operate with other Navy and Coast Guard assets in support of Theater Security Cooperation objectives.
The Coastal Patrol ships in the squadron are each 179 feet long, 25 feet wide and are powered by four diesel engines and can reach speeds of more than 40 mph. Their armament is made up of 8 total machine guns and two grenade launchers: two MK 38 25mm machine guns, four .50 caliber machine guns, two M60 machine guns and two MK 19 40mm automatic grenade launchers.
With approximately four officers and 25 enlisted comprising each ship’s company, jobs are highly varied which keeps the ship mission ready — this includes everything from washing dishes and preparing meals to handling weaponry and maintaining the propulsion system.
As a member of the unit, DiBernardo and other PC Squadron 1 Sailors know they are part of a forward-deployed naval forces team that is heavily relied upon to help protect and defend America on the world’s oceans.
“On deployment, you build unity with your fellow Sailors. As such, you become a cohesive unit of one and become family,” said DiBernardo.
In addition to eight Cyclone-class coastal patrol ships, two Avenger-class mine countermeasures ships are also forward deployed in Bahrain.
The world is increasingly complex and Sailors with PC Squadron 1, as well as the other forward-deployed naval units in Bahrain, assist with assuring international sea lines between the Middle East and Europe remain open and help protect against possible maritime threats.
As a Sailor with numerous responsibilities, deployed halfway around the world away from friends and family back home, DiBernardo said she is learning about herself as a leader, Sailor and a person.
“In the Navy, I’ve learned that my capabilities are much more than I ever imagined,” said DiBernardo.