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In a clear signal showing Pentagon\\\'s determination to maintain its military presence in the Persian Gulf, the US Navy is expanding its Fifth Fleet base in Bahrain.

Under the 580 million dollar expansion project, the Naval Support Activity Bahrain which is home to the US Fifth Fleet is expanding to an adjacent 77-acre piece of land along the waterfront. Under the plan, the US Navy base will nearly double in size. Since 2008, the base personnel has more than doubled from 3000 to 7000. The US Navy initially took over the base from the British Royal Navy in 1971 when it covered just 10 acres of land.