A U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle aircraft assigned to the 391st Expeditionary Fighter Squadron refuels from a KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft over the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Oct. 11, 2025. The KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft played a key role in integrating Air Mobility Command and Air Combat Command capabilities, ensuring U.S. aircraft can execute airpower missions across the CENTCOM AOR. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Nicholas Monteleone)

U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft fly during a mission in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Jan. 7, 2026. The Fighting Falcon demonstrates U.S. commitment to regional security by providing responsive airpower and deterring potential threats within the USCENTCOM AOR. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Travis Knauss)

A U.S. Air Force 555th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft takes off during Blue Sands 26.1 within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Dec. 11, 2025. This routine, multinational exercise focuses on refining shared command and control and joint targeting procedures, ultimately enabling faster and more precise defensive responses to missile and unmanned aerial system threats. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman De’Quan Simmons)

U.S. Army Central (ARCENT) and the Saudi Arabian Armed Forces conducted the fourth iteration of the Red Sands Integrated Experimentation Center at the Shamal 2 Range near the King Khalid Military Center in northern Saudi Arabia Sept. 7-18, 2025. This exercise represented the culmination of rapid prototyping and integrated defensive tactics developed since the inaugural U.S.-Saudi experimental demonstration in 2023.

U.S. CENTRAL COMMAND AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY (Jan. 10, 2026) U.S. Airmen prepare F-15E Strike Eagles for flight from a base in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility in support of Operation Hawkeye Strike, Jan. 10, 2026. (U.S. Air Force video)

U.S. CENTRAL COMMAND AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY (Jan. 10, 2026) U.S. Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II prepare to taxi at base in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility in support of Operation Hawkeye Strike, Jan. 10, 2026. (U.S. Air Force photo)

ARABIAN GULF (Jan. 11, 2026) The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Roosevelt (DDG 80) transits the Arabian Gulf while operating in the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) area of responsibility. Roosevelt is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations to support maritime security and stability in the CENTCOM area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Indra Beaufort)

A U.S. Army AH-64D Apache assigned to Task Force Shikra (3-4 AHB), 4th Combat Aviation Brigade prepares to engage targets during Exercise Sky Shield at the Udari Range Complex, Kuwait, Dec. 5, 2025. Led by Kuwait, exercise Sky Shield included participation from the United States, Bahrain, and the United Kingdom. (U.S. Army Photo by Joe Kumzak)

A U.S. Air Force B-52 Stratofortress aircraft assigned to the 96th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron refuels during a Bomber Task Force mission in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Nov. 17, 2025. This BTF showcased the U.S. Air Force’s ability to rapidly deploy strategic assets from U.S. bases to Europe and beyond, demonstrating global reach. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Nicholas A. Monteleone)