The Navy and Pentagon are changing the process by which foreign service members are approved for training on U.S. bases, in the aftermath of the Dec. 6 incident in which three sailors were killed by a Saudi air force student at Pensacola Naval Air Station, Fla. The U.S. Naval Institute reported Dec. 13 that each foreign student now must undergo three separate screenings. Their names must be cleared after being checked by several law-enforcement databases as well. U.S. medical and mental-health personnel will conduct physical and psychological assessments. Once these steps are complete, each applicant must submit a visa application to the State Department.
The slain sailors were identified as Ens. Joshua K. Watson, Airman Mohammed S. Haitham, and Airman Apprentice Cameron S. Walters. Each man received a posthumous advancement in grade and were awarded Wings of Gold — making them naval aviators — in recognition of the bravery they displayed. The Saudi attacker, identified as 2nd Lt. Mohammed Alshamrani, was killed by a sheriff’s deputy at the scene, according to news reports.
