U.S. Airmen assigned to the 75th Mission Generation Force Element perform hot-pit refueling operations at a base in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Feb. 1, 2026. Through integrated combat turns and hot-pit refuels, Airmen sharpened rapid refuel and rearm techniques at contingency locations, reducing time-to-launch while maintaining strict safety standards. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Tylin Rust)

A U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle aircraft takes off from a base in the Middle East, Jan. 18, 2026. The F-15E Strike Eagle is a dual-role fighter designed to perform air-to-air and air-to-ground missions at low altitude, day or night and in all weather. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jared Brewer)

A U.S. Marine assigned to Fleet Anti-Terrorism Security Team Central Command, sights in on an M240B machine gun during exercise Indigo Defender 26 at King Faisal Naval Base, Saudi Arabia, Feb. 4, 2026. Indigo Defender 26 is a capstone bilateral maritime exercise between Royal Saudi Naval Forces and U.S. Naval Forces Central Command to enhance interoperability and strengthen our capacity to maintain regional maritime security and stability. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Angela Wilcox)

U.S. Air Force Col. Nathan Aysta, 386th Air Expeditionary Wing commander, coins U.S. Army Spc. Carla Coleman, 1st Theater Sustainment Command customs border and clearance agent, at a base within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Feb. 2, 2026. Coleman contributed over 150 hours of volunteer work that extended beyond the mission, demonstrating a commitment to service that positively affected fellow servicemembers. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Tylin Rust)

A U.S. Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft provides close air support to Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Santa Barbara (LCS 32) during a training exercise in the Arabian Gulf, Feb. 2, 2026. Santa Barbara is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations to support maritime security and stability in the Middle East. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Iain Page)

Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) conducts routine flight operations in the Arabian Sea, Jan. 30. Abraham Lincoln is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations to support maritime security and stability in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy video by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Cesar Zavala)

An F/A-18E Super Hornet, attached to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 14, launches from the flight deck of Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) in the Arabian Sea, Feb. 3, 2026. Abraham Lincoln is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations to support maritime security and stability in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Zoe Simpson)

Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) conducts a replenishment-at-sea with Henry J. Kaiser-class USNS Henry J. Kaiser (TAO-187) in the Arabian Sea, Jan. 31, 2026. Abraham Lincoln is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations to support maritime security and stability in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy video by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Zoe Simpson)

Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) conducts routine flight operations in the Arabian Sea, Jan. 30, 2026. Abraham Lincoln is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations to support maritime security and stability in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy video by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Daniel Kimmelman)

ARABIAN SEA (Jan. 28, 2026) An F/A-18F Super Hornet, attached to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 41, prepares to launch from the flight deck of Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) in the Arabian Sea, Jan. 28. Abraham Lincoln 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 Seaman Zoe Simpson)

U.S. CENTRAL COMMAND AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY (Jan. 27, 2026) U.S. Navy Aviation Ordnanceman 3rd Class Gabriel Marshall conducts maintenance on an M61A2 gatling gun aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) in the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) area of responsibility, Jan 27. Abraham Lincoln 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 Seaman Samuel Evarts)

U.S. CENTRAL COMMAND AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY (Jan. 27, 2026) U.S. Navy Seaman Dominic Fernandez, front, and U.S. Navy Operations Specialist Seaman Marquis Jones stand watch as helmsman and lee helmsman on the bridge aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) in the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) area of responsibility, Jan. 27. Abraham Lincoln 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 Seaman Samuel Evarts)