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U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Derek France, Air Forces Central commander, stands with service members and Department of War civilians in front of an A-10 Thunderbolt aircraft while a B-52 Stratofortress aircraft flies in the background at the Al Maktoum International Airport, Dubai, Nov. 17, 2025. They attended the Dubai International Airshow, an event that strengthens ties between U.S. forces and international partners in aviation and national defense. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Justin Norton)

Nov. 18, 2025

Airpower on display at the Dubai Airshow 2025

DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES -- The Dubai Airshow 2025 roared to life this week as American air power took a leading role, captivating attendees with aerial demonstrations featuring the venerable B-52 Stratofortress, the cutting-edge F-35 Lightning II, the versatile F-16 Fighting Falcon and the capable U.S. Navy P-8 Poseidon. The displays highlighted the United States’ commitment to regional security and underscored the unmatched capabilities of American air power.

Two U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning IIs are staged at Al Dhafra Air Base, United Arab Emirates, on Nov. 17, 2025. The aircraft will be used by the team to perform at the Dubai Airshow, showcasing the power and precision of America’s most advanced fifth-generation fighter. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Nicholas Rupiper)

Nov. 17, 2025

US military aircraft, personnel support Dubai Airshow 2025

DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - The Dubai Airshow 2025, one of the largest military expositions in the world, commenced today at Al Maktoum International Airport, United Arab Emirates. U.S. military personnel and aircraft from the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Army and U.S. Navy will be participating alongside global allies and partners.

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Tequarrie Jackson, 332nd Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron small unmanned aircraft systems operator, controls a Skydio quadcopter in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility Nov. 6, 2025. The sUAS team specializes in aerial defense through reconnaissance, target identification, and terrain observation by flying drones around base perimeters to better protect and defend personnel and assets. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Kari Degraffenreed)

Nov. 14, 2025

332 ESFS sUAS division launches first quadcopter in AFCENT history

U.S. CENTRAL COMMAND — The small unmanned aircraft systems flight, housed within the electronic warfare division of the 332nd Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron, made history in U.S. Air Forces Central Command by flying the first quadcopter drone in the area of responsibility, Nov. 5, 2025. The team specializes in aerial defense through reconnaissance, target identification, and terrain observation by utilizing drones around base perimeters to better protect and defend personnel and assets.

Oct. 24, 2025

U.S.-Jordan Complete Initial Planning for Exercise Eager Lion 2026

On Oct. 24, the Jordanian Armed Forces (JAF) and U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) completed an initial planning conference for exercise Eager Lion 2026 in Amman, demonstrating the continued strong defense relationship between Jordan and the United States.

Oct. 16, 2025

MARCENT establishes Task Force 89 to accelerate innovation

TAMPA, Fla. — U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Central Command (MARCENT) announced the establishment of Task Force 89 (TF-89), an innovation and experimentation unit chartered to rapidly assess, validate and field solutions that address theater and service priorities across all warfighting domains. TF-89 will serve as MARCENT’s focal point for capability development, experimentation, and rapid integration. The task force will identify capability gaps, test potential solutions, and coordinate operational assessments in streamlined cycles designed to shorten the time between problem identification and capability employment.

West Virginia National Guard military police personnel engage in a Subject Matter Expert Exchange with the Qatar Military Police Force at the QMPF Headquarters in Doha, Qatar, Sep. 17, 2025. This visit marks the 13th event between the WVNG and QMPF and focused on future bilateral priorities, including continuing support in building capabilities enhancing Qatar's NATO interoperability and integration Operational Capabilities Concept (OCC) Program.

Sept. 29, 2025

W.Va., Qatar Military Police continue bilateral training, interoperability development

At the invitation of Qatar Military Police Force (QMPF) Commander Maj. Gen. Rashid Al Hajri a West Virginia National Guard (WVNG) contingent visited QMPF Headquarters in Doha, Qatar on Sept. 12-18, 2025 as part of an ongoing series of Military Police (MP) Subject Matter Expert Exchanges (SMEEs) meant to reinforce and elevate the relationship built between the militaries since their National Guard Bureau State Partnership Program (SPP) pairing was formalized in 2018.  "The U.S. and Qatari militaries are already highly interoperable, even more so for the WVNG and QMPF, thanks to our SPP," said WVNG Adjutant General James “Jim” Seward.  "Visits like this build on our existing personal relationships to increase military cooperation and address shared regional and global challenges."

At the invitation of Qatar Emiri Land Force Commander Maj. Gen. Jassim Al Attiya, West Virginia National Guard Adjutant General James “Jim” Seward visited QELF Headquarters in Doha, Qatar, on Sept. 17, 2025, as part of a series of key leader engagements meant to reinforce and elevate the bilateral relationship built between the militaries since the National Guard Bureau State Partnership Program pairing was formalized in 2018. (U.S. Army National Guard courtesy photo by Cpt. Sebastian Clark)

Sept. 26, 2025

W.Va., Qatar Military Leaders Elevate Partnerships; NATO interoperability, global burden sharing, aviation platforms discussed

West Virginia National Guard (WVNG) Adjutant General James “Jim” Seward traveled to Doha, Qatar, this week to meet with Qatar Armed Forces (QAF) counterparts as part of a series of key leader engagements meant to reinforce and elevate the relationships built between the militaries since their National Guard Bureau State Partnership Program (SPP) pairing was formalized in 2018. “Qatar has been an anchor of U.S. friendship and presence in the region," Seward said. “West Virginia is honored to champion bilateral and multilateral priority efforts for our two nations as we share a common interest in prevailing against complex regional security challenges and increasing interoperability on a global stage.”

U.S. Marine Lt. Col. Daniel Quesada, CENTCOM J57 lead planner for Bright Star 25, left; Yemeni Maj. Gen. Ismail Zahzouh, commander of Special Operations Forces, center; and U.S. Army Col. Lee Breard, U.S. Central Command J57 Exercises Division chief, pose for a photo at Mohamed Naguib Military Base, Sept. 7, 2025. Bright Star 2025 is a multilateral U.S. Central Command exercise co-hosted with Egypt across air, land and sea domains. The exercise promotes regional security and cooperation and improves interoperability in irregular warfare against hybrid threats, with more than 40 countries participating this year. (U.S. Central Command photo by Maged Benjamin-Elias)

Sept. 19, 2025

Yemeni Commander Highlights Return to Bright Star 2025, Emphasizes Regional Security

MOHAMED NAGUIB MILITARY BASE, Egypt — Maj. Gen. Ismail Zahzouh, commander of Yemen’s Special Operations Forces, said his country’s participation in Bright Star 2025 marks both a return to international cooperation and a commitment to regional and maritime security. “Yemen’s participation in Bright Star means a lot — beyond gaining expertise and skills and working side by side with many friendly and brotherly nations,” Zahzouh said during an interview at the exercise. “It also means Yemen is emerging from the situation imposed on it in recent years and returning to its rightful place within the region and the international community.”

U.S. CENTRAL COMMAND AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY (Sept. 15, 2025) U.S. Navy explosive ordnance technicians assigned to U.S. Naval Forces Central Command’s Commander, Task Force (CTF) 56, right, work with members of the Jordanian Armed Forces to set explosives to neutralize a simulated sea mine in the Gulf of Aqaba, Sept. 15, 2025, during exercise INFINITE DEFENDER 25. INFINITE DEFENDER 25 is an annual, bilateral explosive ordnance disposal and maritime security exercise between U.S. 5th Fleet and the Royal Jordanian Navy to enhance mutual capabilities and interoperability. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Hans Williams)

Sept. 19, 2025

U.S. and Jordan Conduct Bilateral Maritime Exercise Infinite Defender 25

MANAMA, Bahrain – Forces from U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/U.S. 5th Fleet (NAVCENT/C5F) and the Jordanian Armed Forces (JAF) participated in the annual, bilateral maritime exercise Infinite Defender 25, off the coast of Aqaba, Jordan, Sept. 14-18. The exercise focused on bilateral maritime infrastructure protection, explosive ordnance disposal, and anti-terrorism force protection, and provided a unique opportunity for U.S. and JAF armed forces to share knowledge and experience, expand levels of cooperation and enhance existing defensive capabilities.

Sept. 16, 2025

Qatar Assumes Command of Combined Maritime Forces’ Combined Task Force 152

MANAMA, Bahrain –The Qatar Emiri Navy assumed command of Combined Maritime Forces’ Arabian Gulf security and cooperation task force during a change of command ceremony, presided over by Vice Adm. George Wikoff, commander of Combined Maritime Forces (CMF), Sept. 15. Commodore Mohammad Alarefi of the Kuwait Naval Force turned over command of Combined Task Force (CTF) 152 to Qatari Brigadier General Hamad Saleh Al-Ahwal.