U.S. Central Command Press Releases

U.S. Continues Strikes into Iran After Successful Rescue of F-15E Aircrew

Press Operations — Sun, 05 Apr 2026 17:10:24 GMT

TAMPA, Fla. — On April 4, U.S. forces successfully completed the rescues of two American service

CENTCOM Refutes Media Claims of U.S. Strikes in Lamerd, Iran

Press Operations — Tue, 31 Mar 2026 22:36:27 GMT

TAMPA, Fla.- U.S. Central Command Spokesperson U.S. Navy Capt. Tim Hawkins provided the following statement: Several media outlets recently reported accusations of U.S. forces striking a sports hall and residential area in the city of Lamerd, Iran, on Feb. 28. After looking into the reports, U.S. Central Command has confirmed the accusations are false.

Statement on Non-Combat Related Injury Aboard USS Abraham Lincoln

Press Operations — Thu, 26 Mar 2026 12:24:59 GMT

A U.S. Navy Sailor was injured aboard USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) while the aircraft carrier was conducting flight operations in the Arabian Sea on March 25. The injury is not combat-related nor life threatening.

Statement on the KC-135 Incident

Press Operations — Sat, 14 Mar 2026 20:17:00 GMT

U.S. Central Command Spokesperson U.S. Navy Capt. Tim Hawkins provided the following statement: Out of respect for our Gold Star families, we ask for media outlets and journalists to exercise patience and abstain from publishing reports on fallen service members until the formal investigation and notification processes are completed.

All Crew Members of U.S. KC-135 Loss in Iraq Confirmed Deceased

Press Operations — Fri, 13 Mar 2026 14:24:56 GMT

TAMPA, Fla. – All six crew members aboard a U.S. KC-135 refueling aircraft that went down in western Iraq are now confirmed deceased. The aircraft was lost while flying over friendly airspace March 12 during Operation Epic Fury. The circumstances of the incident are under investigation. However, the loss of the aircraft was not due to hostile fire or friendly fire. The identities of the service members are being withheld until 24 hours after next of kin have been notified.

Four Confirmed Deceased in Loss of U.S. KC-135 Over Iraq

Press Operations — Fri, 13 Mar 2026 09:45:14 GMT

TAMPA, Fla. – At approximately 2 pm ET on March 12, a U.S. KC-135 refueling aircraft went down in western Iraq. Four of six crew members on board the aircraft have been confirmed deceased as rescue efforts continue.

Loss of U.S. KC-135 Over Iraq

Press Operations — Thu, 12 Mar 2026 21:36:51 GMT

TAMPA, Fla. -- U.S. Central Command is aware of the loss of a U.S. KC-135 refueling aircraft. The incident occurred in friendly airspace during Operation Epic Fury, and rescue efforts are ongoing. Two aircraft were involved in the incident. One of the aircraft went down in western Iraq, and the second landed safely.

Civilians Warned to Avoid Ports Used by Iranian Forces

Press Operations — Wed, 11 Mar 2026 15:01:00 GMT

TAMPA, Fla. – On March 11, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) is issuing a warning to civilians that the Iranian regime is using civilian ports along the Strait of Hormuz to conduct military operations that threaten international shipping. This dangerous action risks the lives of innocent people. Civilian ports used for military purposes lose protected status and become legitimate military targets under international law.

U.S. Forces Issue Safety Warning to Civilians in Iran

Press Operations — Sun, 08 Mar 2026 13:49:42 GMT

TAMPA, Fla. – U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) is issuing a safety warning to civilians in Iran, March 8, as Iran’s terrorist regime blatantly disregards the safety of innocent people.

Bahrain, UK, U.S. Hold Virtual C-SIPA Defence Working Group Meeting

Press Operations — Fri, 06 Mar 2026 20:25:00 GMT

TAMPA, Fla. – On March 5, representatives from the Kingdom of Bahrain, United Kingdom, and United States held a virtual meeting for the Comprehensive Security Integration and Prosperity Agreement (C-SIPA) - Defence Working Group.

Secretary of War to Visit CENTCOM Headquarters

Press Operations — Wed, 04 Mar 2026 21:29:00 GMT

TAMPA, Fla. – On Thursday, March 5, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth will visit U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) headquarters at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Fla.

Three U.S. F-15s Involved in Friendly Fire Incident in Kuwait; Pilots Safe

Press Operations — Mon, 02 Mar 2026 10:58:01 GMT

TAMPA, Fla. – At 11:03 p.m. ET, March 1, three U.S. F-15E Strike Eagles flying in support of Operation Epic Fury went down over Kuwait due to an apparent friendly fire incident.

U.S. Forces Launch Operation Epic Fury

Press Operations — Sat, 28 Feb 2026 18:49:37 GMT

TAMPA, Fla. – U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) commenced Operation Epic Fury, Feb. 28, at the direction of the President of the United States.

U.S. Forces Continue Strikes on ISIS Targets in Syria

Press Operations — Sat, 14 Feb 2026 11:57:00 GMT

TAMPA, Fla. – U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) forces conducted 10 strikes against more than 30 ISIS targets in Syria, Feb. 3 – 12, to sustain relentless military pressure on remnants from the terrorist network.

U.S. Forces Complete Mission in Syria to Transfer ISIS Detainees to Iraq

Press Operations — Fri, 13 Feb 2026 12:30:10 GMT

TAMPA, Fla. – U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) completed a transfer mission following a nighttime flight from northeastern Syria to Iraq on Feb. 12 to help ensure ISIS detainees remain secure in detention facilities.

U.S. Forces Depart Base in Syria during Orderly Transition

Press Operations — Thu, 12 Feb 2026 14:56:58 GMT

U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) completed the orderly departure of U.S. forces from al-Tanf Garrison in Syria on Feb. 11 as part of a deliberate and conditions-based transition by Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve (CJTF-OIR).

CENTCOM Commander Visits Aircraft Carrier in Arabian Sea

Press Operations — Sat, 07 Feb 2026 18:13:00 GMT

TAMPA, Fla. – The commander of U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) visited USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), Feb. 7, as it transited the Arabian Sea during a scheduled deployment.

U.S. Forces Strike ISIS Targets in Syria as Partners Sustain Pressure

Press Operations — Wed, 04 Feb 2026 17:00:00 GMT

U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) conducted five strikes against multiple ISIS targets across Syria, Jan. 27 – Feb. 2, as partner forces continue to apply military pressure to ensure the enduring defeat of the terrorist network. CENTCOM forces located and destroyed an ISIS communication site, critical logistics node, and weapons storage facilities with 50 precision munitions delivered by fixed-wing, rotary-wing, and unmanned aircraft.

U.S. Forces Launch Mission in Syria to Transfer ISIS Detainees to Iraq

Press Operations — Wed, 21 Jan 2026 15:10:00 GMT

TAMPA, Fla. — U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) launched a new mission to transfer ISIS detainees from northeastern Syria to Iraq, Jan. 21, to help ensure the terrorists remain in secure detention facilities. The transfer mission began while U.S. forces successfully transported 150 ISIS fighters held at a detention facility in Hasakah, Syria, to a secure location in Iraq. Ultimately, up to 7,000 ISIS detainees could be transferred from Syria to Iraqi-controlled facilities.

U.S. Forces Kill Al-Qaeda Affiliate Leader Linked to ISIS Ambush on Americans in Syria

Press Operations — Sat, 17 Jan 2026 20:13:00 GMT

U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) conducted a strike in northwest Syria on Jan. 16, that resulted in the death of a leader affiliated with Al-Qaeda who had direct ties to an ISIS terrorist responsible for an ambush which killed two U.S. service members and an American interpreter on Dec. 13, 2025. Bilal Hasan al-Jasim was an experienced terrorist leader who plotted attacks and was directly connected with the ISIS gunman who killed and injured American and Syrian personnel last month in Palmyra, Syria.