Established 1 January 1983, United States Central Command (USCENTCOM) as its name implies, covers the “central” area of the globe located between the European and Pacific Commands. 

In 1979, the Iranian Revolution and the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan highlighted the need to strengthen U.S. interests in the region in the Middle East. President Jimmy Carter established the Rapid Deployment Joint Task Force (RDJTF) in March 1980. To provide a stronger, more lasting solution in the region, President Ronald Reagan took steps to transform the RDJTF into a permanent unified command over a two-year period. The first step made the RDJTF independent of U.S. Readiness Command, followed by the activation of USCENTCOM in January 1983. In 1987, USCENTCOM conducted its first combat operations in response to Iranian mining operations in the Persian Gulf. 

On 2 August 1990, Saddam Hussein invaded Kuwait. In response, USCENTCOM conducted Operation Desert Storm, destroying the Iraqi Army in a devastating air campaign and liberating Kuwait in just 100 hours in a rapid ground war. After DESERT STORM, USCENTCOM conducted Operation SOUTHERN WATCH to enforce a no-fly zone over southern Iraq and created Joint Task Force Southwest Asia to command the coalition air forces enforcing the no-fly zone. Throughout the following decade, USCENTCOM operations such as VIGILANT WARRIOR, VIGILANT SENTINEL, DESERT STRIKE, DESERT THUNDER (I and II), and DESERT FOX responded to Iraqi threats. 

In 1992 USCENTCOM conducted Operation PROVIDE RELIEF followed by Operation RESTORE HOPE, deliver humanitarian relief and provide security in war-torn Somalia. The Unified Task Force included contingents from more than 20 countries. In May 1993 UNITAF turned over responsibility to a UN force. On 3 October 1993, fierce fighting during a raid by Special Operations Forces killed 18 American troops and wounded 78. Two Special operators MSG Gordon and SFC Shugart, received the first Medals of Honor, posthumously, awarded since the Vietnam war. 

The terrorist attacks on American soil on 11 September 2001 led President George W. Bush to declare a war against international terrorism. USCENTCOM soon launched Operation ENDURING FREEDOM to expel the Taliban government in Afghanistan, which was harboring Al Qaida terrorists and repressing the Afghan population. In March of 2003 USCENTCOM led coalition forces in Operation IRAQI FREEDOM to liberate the Iraqi people from Saddam Hussein’s oppression. 

In August 2014 the ISIS captured Mosul and threatened much of Iraq. CENTCOM led the effort to create a Coalition to counter this threat, and began Operation INHERENT RESOLVE to defeat ISIS in Iraq and Syria. 

Since DESERT STORM in 1990, every USCENTCOM Operation has been a Coalition operation. Since the Vietnam War, every Medal of Honor awarded has been given for actions in the USCENTCOM AOR, with twenty-six Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and Marines receiving this award since 1993. 

With national and international partners, USCENTCOM continues to promote cooperation among nations, respond to crises, deter and defeat state and non-state aggression, support development and, when necessary, reconstruction in order to establish the conditions for regional security, stability and prosperity.