U.S. Central Command News

AFCENT’s Task Force-99 focuses efforts on partner nation integration

Senior Airman Zachary Foster — Thu, 13 Jun 2024 18:07:10 GMT

U.S. CENTRAL COMMAND AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY – What does the future warfighter look like? What uniform will they wear? Will they integrate with artificial intelligence? There are a lot of unknowns about the future fight, but there is one certainty: to continue generating combat airpower, the U.S. Air Force and their mission partners need to innovate here and now. Leading the charge in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility is the Ninth Air Force's (U.S. Air Forces Central) Task-Force-99 (TF-99).

The end of an era; the 350th EARS flies their last scheduled KC-135 deployment

Senior Airman Zachary Foster — Thu, 13 Jun 2024 17:53:00 GMT

U.S. CENTRAL COMMAND AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY – In a world with an ever-changing battlefield, one need stays the same. Rapid global mobility is the key to every weapon in the U.S. Air Force’s arsenal. From refueling the fighters that maintain peace and stability throughout the globe to delivering humanitarian aid where it’s needed most- air mobility assets make it happen. The 350th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron “Red Falcons,” led by Lt Col Stu Meyers, is at the forefront of the U.S. Air Force's air mobility fleet.

Native Fury: Strengthening Military Partnerships and Readiness in the Arabian Gulf

Maged L Benjamin-Elias — Wed, 12 Jun 2024 18:30:00 GMT

United Arab Emirates (May 28, 2024) – The above photos show U.S. Marines conduct tactical vehicles onload on a bulk carrier after concluding exercise Native Fury 24 at a port in the United Arab Emirates on May 28, 2024. Exercise Native Fury 24 is a critical multi-lateral and biennial exercise sponsored by U.S. Central Command and executed by U.S. Marine Corps Forces Central Command in collaboration with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. It aims to enhance interoperability, readiness, and cooperation between the participating forces.

Combined Maritime Forces’ Combined Task Force 154 Marks Productive First Year

Combined Maritime Forces Public Affairs — Wed, 22 May 2024 11:35:00 GMT

Combined Maritime Forces’ Combined Task Force (CTF) 154 marked one year as the partnership’s multinational maritime training task force, May 22.

4th LE Battalion Provides Security During Exercise Native Fury

Cpl. Mary Kohlmann — Mon, 13 May 2024 15:17:09 GMT

Yanbu, Saudi Arabia - The day-to-day life of a security forces reserve Marine is varied to the individual, however, what they all have in common is no matter the clime or place they can quickly adapt and be a positive reinforcement of the world’s most elite fighting force. U.S. Marines with Delta Company, 4th Law Enforcement Battalion (4th LEB), Force Headquarters Group, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Reserve, first deployed to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in April 2024 to provide security to Marines, Sailors, Soldiers, and their assets participating in support of Exercise Native Fury 24. Delta Company’s mission is to provide inner perimeter security for initial staging and logistics areas in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in support of 2nd Distribution Support Battalion, Combat Logistics Regiment 2, 2nd Marine Logistics Group (MLG) and to provide security alongside Saudi and Emirati forces throughout the exercise as it progresses from Kingdom Saudi Arabia to the United Arab Emirates.

Exercise Native Fury 24 Begins in Saudi Arabia

Capt. Joe Wright — Mon, 06 May 2024 14:17:45 GMT

YANBU, Saudi Arabia — The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), the United Arab Emirates, and U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Central Command (USMARCENT) launched Exercise NATIVE FURY 24 (NF 24) at a Saudi Naval Port on May 5, 2024. In its 9th iteration, NF24 will showcase U.S. and partner forces engaging in on-load and off-load operations using commercial maritime shipping, long-distance convoys, urban combat training, and various dynamic training events in both Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

U.S., Pakistan Forces Complete Exercise Inspired Union 2024

U.S. Naval Forces Central Command Public Affairs — Thu, 02 May 2024 13:03:00 GMT

Naval forces from Pakistan and the United States completed a four-day bilateral training exercise, Inspired Union 2024, in Karachi, Pakistan, May 2.

Combined Maritime Forces Hosts 2024 Maritime Security Conference

From Combined Maritime Forces Public Affairs — Fri, 19 Apr 2024 11:04:00 GMT

Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) hosted senior military leaders during a two-day maritime security conference held onboard Naval Support Activity Bahrain, April 16-17.

Indian Navy Carries Out First Drug Interdiction as CMF Member

Combined Maritime Forces Public Affairs — Tue, 16 Apr 2024 10:24:00 GMT

The Indian Navy Ship INS Talwar, operating in support of the Canadian-led Combined Task Force (CTF) 150, conducted its first interdiction of illicit narcotics as a member of Combined Maritime Forces, seizing 940 kg of drugs in the Arabian Sea, April 13.

Canadian-Led CTF 150 Seize Nearly 2,000kg of Narcotics in Two Interdictions in a Single Day

Combined Maritime Forces Public Affairs — Sun, 14 Apr 2024 12:11:00 GMT

The Canadian-led Combined Task Force (CTF) 150 carried out two drug interdictions at sea in a single day as part of Focused Operation Crimson Barracuda in the Arabian Sea, April 10. The two interdictions resulted in the seizure of a combined total of nearly 2,000 kg of drugs.

379th AEW modernizes force structure in preparation for AFFOGREN

Senior Airman Zachary Foster — Wed, 10 Apr 2024 14:27:20 GMT

U.S. Central Command Area of Responsibility – The 379th Air Expeditionary Wing held an activation ceremony for the 379th Expeditionary Air Base Group, Apr. 2, 2024. The ceremony marked the merger of the 379th AEW’s medical, maintenance, operations and mission support groups into one cohesive support team. “Today we activated our EABG to be led initially by Col. David Mays – until a few weeks from now when we receive another exceptional leader from the new AFFORGEN model,” said U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Douglas Jackson, 379th AEW commander. “The faces will change, but the values we have championed and the culture we have cultivated will endure.”

New leadership takes command of the 380th AEW

DoD News — Mon, 08 Apr 2024 06:44:00 GMT

New leadership took command of the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing during a change of command and change of responsibility ceremony April 1, 2024, at an undisclosed location within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. Col. Ronald L. Selvidge Jr. assumed command of the wing from Brig. Gen. Terence G. Taylor, outgoing 380th AEW commander. Chief Master Sgt. J. Stacy Cutshaw also took responsibility as the wing’s new command chief, replacing Command Chief Master Sgt. Christopher Murphy. “I have been waiting for this day; I have been anticipating it. I am excited about the new challenge,” said Selvidge.

Italy Takes Command of International Red Sea Task Force

Combined Maritime Forces Public Affairs — Wed, 03 Apr 2024 13:33:00 GMT

The U.S. Navy turned over command of Combined Task Force (CTF) 153 to the Italian Navy during a change of command ceremony at the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) headquarters here, April 3.

Poland Joins Combined Maritime Forces in Middle East as 42nd Member

Combined Maritime Forces Public Affairs — Wed, 20 Mar 2024 07:20:00 GMT

Combined Maritime Forces welcomed the Republic of Poland as the 42nd member of the world’s largest maritime security partnership, March 17.

Laboon Sailors Provide Assistance to Distressed Mariners

USS Laboon Public Affairs — Wed, 13 Mar 2024 05:36:00 GMT

Crew members from the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Laboon (DDG 58) provided assistance to three mariners on a disabled vessel in the international waters of the Gulf of Aden, March 11.

DTRA’s Biological Threat Reduction Program and the Tripartite Health Organizations conduct workshop on Zoonotic Workforce Development.

Andrea Chaney — Wed, 06 Mar 2024 22:07:00 GMT

In partnership with The Defense Threat Reduction Agency’s Biological Threat Reduction Program and the Tripartite health organizations (World Health Organization (WHO), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), and the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH)), conducted a workshop aimed at fortifying and mobilizing Kazakhstan's workforce for effective preparedness and response to zoonotic disease outbreaks Jan. 23-25 in Almaty, Kazakhstan.

Contingency Contractors: Partnerships Power the Mission in U.S. Central Command

Tech. Sgt. James Cason — Wed, 06 Mar 2024 16:16:01 GMT

U.S. CENTRAL COMMAND - “An army runs on its stomach,” a phrase attributed to Napoleon Bonaparte, emphasizes the importance of meeting the basic logistical needs of a military force first and foremost. In a modern contingency environment such as the Middle East, the U.S. Air Force directly supplies a base with equipment like aircraft, heavy machinery and weaponry. But when it comes to smaller logistical details, an expeditionary contracting squadron is largely responsible for feeding the “stomach.” “We have our hands in just about every aspect of the mission here, from food, phone services, and office equipment to making sure we have electricity and running water. Whether it’s at the AFCENT (U.S. Air Forces Central) level or handled right here by our team, those items or services were procured by Air Force contracting,” said an ECONS director of operations deployed to the Middle East.

Space capabilities highlighted in second annual CENTCOM Theater Space Forum

AFCENT Public Affairs — Mon, 26 Feb 2024 07:54:00 GMT

U.S. Space Forces Central hosted the second annual U.S. Central Command Theater Space Forum recently, bringing together over 140 space experts from all five branches of the Defense Department, multiple Combatant Commands and partner nations.

Multilateral Maritime Engagement 24.1: Strengthening Regional Partnerships for Enhanced Stability

Gunnery Sgt. Victor Mancilla — Fri, 23 Feb 2024 20:44:55 GMT

MANAMA, Bahrain - Task Force 51/5th Marine Expeditionary Brigade (TF 51/5) is proud to announce Multilateral Maritime Engagement (MME) 24.1, a symposium aimed at fostering multilateral opportunities, partnerships, and capabilities within the United States Central Command (CENTCOM) Area of Responsibility (AOR). MME 24.1 will take place from 21-22 February 2024 in Bahrain, where TF 51/5 will host military leaders from across the region to advance bilateral and multilateral partnerships. The symposium will serve as a platform for military leaders from Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, and the UK to engage in meaningful discussions about issues facing maritime security in the region, and to collaborate on strategic planning.

Saudi Arabia Hosts U.S. CENTCOM Command Surgeon and Partner Nations For International Military Medicine Conference and Multinational Medical Response Training

DoD News — Tue, 20 Feb 2024 20:10:08 GMT

TAMPA, Fla. - Saudi Arabia Military Medical Services hosted the first Multinational Medical Response Training in partnership with the United States Central Command (CENTCOM) Command Surgeon from Feb. 11-13, in Riyadh. “This inaugural event’s purpose is to create an enduring regional medical disaster response framework that enhances stability and collaboration throughout the region,” said USCENTCOM Command Surgeon U.S. Army Col. Larry McCord. “I believe this will be the first of many iterations of medical cooperation and training that builds relationships and strengthens our bonds.”