July 29, 2021

KC-10 flexes to move mission forward

ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES — U.S. Air Force KC-10 Extender aircraft, typically used in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility for aerial refueling missions, recently flexed to streamline a major movement of cargo, personnel and F-15E Strike Eagle aircraft across the theater.

July 28, 2021

Task Force Phoenix in the fight against RCIEDs

CAMP BUEHRING, Kuwait — Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) were a deadly threat during Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, causing the majority of casualties in both conflicts. IEDs remain a threat today for coalition forces in Iraq and Syria during Operation Inherent Resolve. The U.S. military developed several countermeasures to protect both mounted and dismounted service members from this threat.

July 27, 2021

NAVSUP Fleet Logistics Center Bahrain Supports Four Consecutive Aqaba Port Visits

MANAMA, Bahrain — Naval Supply Systems Command (NAVSUP) Fleet Logistics Center (FLC) Bahrain provided contracting and logistics support to four scheduled port visits in Aqaba, Jordan during the last three months. After more than a year of restricted travel due to COVID-19 mitigations, logistics support representatives of NAVSUP FLC Bahrain traveled to Aqaba to provide boots-on-the-ground support to USS Mahan (DDG 72), USS Carter Hall (LSD 50) and USS San Antonio (LPD 17) while they operated in U.S. 5th Fleet.

July 20, 2021

EC-130H Compass Call protects and enhances regional airpower capabilities

AL DHAFRA, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES — Over the past month, the EC-130H Compass Call aircraft, has flown in two multi-nation, large force employment exercises that strengthened integration capabilities with CENTCOM partners and allies. The Compass Call, flown by the 41st Expeditionary Electronic Combat Squadron, 380th Air Expeditionary Wing, Al Dhafra Air Base, United Arab Emirates, is an airborne tactical weapon system that employs offensive counter-information and electronic attack capabilities, and has been operating persistently in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility for almost 20 years.

July 20, 2021

Undaunted service: Elite fire fighters serve in austere environments

ALI AL SALEM AIR BASE, KUWAIT — A quick reaction force is an elite unit, comprised of Airmen from multiple squadrons trained in combat and evasion. These Airmen are not only highly skilled professionals, but they undergo special training to perform their duties in austere and potentially hostile environments.

July 20, 2021

“Capital Guardians” bring excellence to AFCENT skies

PRINCE SULTAN AIR BASE, KSA — Over the past week, aircraft and Airmen assigned to the District of Columbia Air National Guard’s 113th Wing arrived at Prince Sultan Air Base, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, to join the 378th Air Expeditionary Wing as it provides combat power projection across the region in defense of U.S. forces.The wing sent a contingent of U.S. Air Force F-16

July 15, 2021

USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) Underway Operations with UK Carrier Strike Group 21

GULF OF ADEN — The Queen Elizabeth (UK) and Ronald Reagan carrier strike groups (CSG), alongside the Iwo Jima amphibious ready group (ARG), conducted a large scale joint interoperability exercise in the Gulf of Aden, July 12. The combined, bilateral surface, air and sub-surface exercise was designed to enhance UK, Dutch and U.S. maritime interoperability and demonstrate naval integration through a series of training scenarios.

July 12, 2021

One Team, One Fight: The Importance of Partnership

KUWAIT — Around 6 p.m., teams from Task Force Iron Valor arrived at the Udairi Range Complex in Kuwait. The Soldiers, originating from 1-181st Field Artillery Regiment’s Bravo Battery and Delta Company, 3-172nd Infantry (Mountain) respectively, spent several hours traveling through the heat to conduct dry fire exercises throughout the night and into the morning. As I stood watching these two units working together, my mind went back three months ago to Camp McGregor, TX, where the 1-181st FAR and 3-172nd Infantry (Mnt) first crossed paths.

July 2, 2021

Saudi, U.S. Forces Conclude Amphibious Training in Tabuk

TABUK, Saudi Arabia — U.S. Marines and Sailors assigned to the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) and Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) completed bilateral theater amphibious combat rehearsal (TACR) training with the Royal Saudi Land Forces in Tabuk, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, June 26. TACR training began June 7 when U.S. naval forces conducted amphibious assault exercises. The three-week event included live-fire training, parachute jumps, explosive ordnance disposal ranges, medical drills, and convoys.