More than 150 service members and civilians gathered at Naval Support Activity Bahrain April 24 to remember three service members from the coastal patrol ship USS Firebolt (PC 10) who made the ultimate sacrifice 13 years ago.

During a wreath-laying ceremony in front of a memorial to the lost members of the Firebolt crew, Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT) Deputy Commander Rear Adm. Eugene Black addressed those assembled and reflected on the sacrifices made that day.

"The names of those who died that day are in the back of every Sailor's and Coast Guardsman's mind who boards a rigid-hull inflatable boat, knowing that there is no such thing as a routine mission," Black said.

On April 24, 2004, Firebolt was in the vicinity of the Khawr Al Amaya Oil Terminal in Iraq, with the mission of defending the terminal against would-be attackers. A suspicious dhow was spotted nearby, and Firebolt deployed a rigid-hull inflatable boat (RHIB) manned by six Sailors and a U.S. Coast Guardsman to investigate the vessel. The dhow, realizing the RHIB was in pursuit, sped toward the oil terminal. The RHIB maneuvered into position to intercept the vessel, but the dhow exploded in an apparent suicide attack. Minutes later, two other dhows exploded prematurely in what was an attempted coordinated attack on Iraq's offshore oil infrastructure.

Though the crew of the RHIB had successfully protected the oil platform, the wake created by the explosions capsized the small boat, claiming the lives of Boatswain's Mate 1st Class Michael J. Pernaselli, Signalman 2nd Class Christopher E. Watts and U.S. Coast Guard Damage Controlman 3rd Class Nathan B. Bruckenthal. Bruckenthal was the first Coast Guardsman to die in action since the Vietnam War.

"The heroism on the waters of the north Arabian Gulf 13 years ago inspires us today," said Black. "The actions of the entire Firebolt crew embody the importance of honor, courage, and commitment. They remind us to stay focused on our mission from start to finish and to fight the complacency that may come on those - long - hot watches at sea as we conduct maritime operations."

To honor the service members' legacies, a memorial stands across a courtyard from the U.S. Coast Guard Patrol Forces Southwest Asia (PATSFORSWA) headquarters, fitted with mementos of the fallen, including rating badges, a folded flag and a life ring from Firebolt.

Following the wreath laying, Firebolt crewmembers and others took part in a memorial run around the base.

This year, the memorial service took on an added element of solemnity with the presence of Chief Boatswain's Mate Christopher Hagan, a former Firebolt Sailor and shipmate of Pernaselli, Watts, and Bruckenthal. Hagan worked directly for Pernaselli. Since the incident, Hagan said, he has worn a black metal bracelet inscribed with Pernaselli's name, rank, and date of death. The bracelet is scratched, weathered and worn, but immortalizes the memory of his fallen comrade.

"The crews that man Firebolt take on the burden of the loss of our brothers," said Hagan. "They do so proudly and represent not only our fallen brothers but their families as well. Every Sailor who served on the coastal patrol ships that day were [shaken] by the loss of our brothers and made a promise to never let their sacrifices be forgotten."

U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations encompasses about 2.5 million square miles of water area and includes the Arabian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, Red Sea and parts of the Indian Ocean. The expanse comprises 20 countries and includes three critical choke points at the Strait of Hormuz, the Suez Canal and the Strait of Bab al Mandeb at the southern tip of Yemen.

PATFORSWA's mission is to command, train, equip, and provide mission ready Coast Guard forces to conduct maritime security operations in U.S. Central Command's (CENTCOM) area of responsibility.

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For more news from Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/5th Fleet, visit www.cusnc.navy.mil/.