Exercise Protection Shield Enhances U.S. and Saudi Incident Response
U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) CCJ5 Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) Division Chief, John K. Watson, delivers opening remarks during tabletop exercise Protection Shield at the University of Tampa, Dec. 8, 2025. CENTCOM, Department of Energy, Department of State, University of Tampa, and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Ministry of Defense, Ministry of Health, and Red Crescent participated in the consequence management tabletop exercise that aims to prevent, protect, and respond to incidents while improving interagency operability. (U.S. Central Command Public Affairs photo by Tom Gagnier)