Feb. 24, 2021

Deployed Soldiers run marathon for a good cause

CAMP BUEHRING, KUWAIT — Although deployed to the Middle East, Soldiers are still finding ways to stay active, even dedicating a couple hours on Sunday to run in memory of a decorated Army aviator. About 120 Soldiers with the 28th Expeditionary Combat Aviation Brigade participated in a marathon and half-marathon throughout their area of operations. The main event was held at Camp Buehring, Kuwait but runners at other bases and outposts participated virtually.

Feb. 24, 2021

AFCENT hosts regional Joint Air Defense Exercise 21-01

AL UDEID AIR BASE, Qatar — U.S. Air Forces Central, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command, U.S. Army Central Command, coalition partners, and four regional partner nations conducted Joint Air Defense Exercise 21-01, Feb. 15-19, 2021.

Feb. 23, 2021

USCENTCOM Symposium Spotlights the Role of Data on the Battlefield

TAMPA, Fla. — U.S. Central Command (USCENTCOM) hosted a virtual data symposium the first week of February 2021. More than 1,000 senior Department of Defense (DoD) data leaders as well as private-sector innovators and representatives from partner nations participated in the online event. The symposium was hosted by U.S. Army Brigadier General Jeth Rey, USCENTCOM’s Director of Command and Control, Communications and Computer Systems (J6) and Chief Information Officer.

Feb. 17, 2021

USAFCENT tri-wing integration generates rapid airpower

AL DHAFRA AIR BASE, United Arab Emirates — Three air expeditionary wings assigned to U.S. Air Forces Central participated in an integrated combat turn exercise, Feb. 13, 2021.

Feb. 16, 2021

Winston S. Churchill Seizes Illicit Weapons from Two Dhows off Somalia

INDIAN OCEAN — The guided-missile destroyer USS Winston S. Churchill (DDG 81) seized illicit shipments of weapons and weapons components from two stateless dhows during a maritime security operation in international waters off the coast of Somalia, Feb. 11-12.

Feb. 16, 2021

15th MEU supports Operation Inherent Resolve from Makin Island ARG

ARABIAN GULF — The Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group and the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit began air operations in support of Operation Inherent Resolve, February 13. Close air support operations and defensive counter air support operations were carried out by Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 164 (Reinforced), the aviation combat element of the 15th MEU, as part of broader U.S. Central Command counterterrorism operations in the region. U.S. Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II aircraft departed from the amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island (LHD 8), flagship of the Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group, to execute the long-range strike...

Feb. 13, 2021

A partnership story, the U.S. and the UAE

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES 02.13.2021 — In the military we often hear the terms “interoperability,” “bilateral,” and “military-to-military” and don’t think much of them. Not because they hold no meaning—quite the opposite—but because they have become so familiar in our rhetoric that they have become commonplace.

Feb. 12, 2021

Task Force Spartan hosts first large-scale exercise since COVID-19, Iron Union 14

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates — Soldiers from the United States’ Task Force Spartan and the United Arab Emirates Land Forces gathered from Jan. 24 to Feb. 6, 2021, at Al Hamra Training Center in the United Arab Emirates for Iron Union 14, the first bi-lateral training exercise between the forces since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. This recurring exercise, designed to strengthen military-to-military relationships, allowed the forces to train how they might address regional security challenges. However, due to COVID-19, this year’s event came with its own challenges.

Feb. 10, 2021

COVID-19 vaccine rollout ongoing in U.S. Army Central footprint

CAMP ARIFJAN, KUWAIT — The COVID-19 vaccination program in the U.S. Army Central’s area of operations is underway.

Feb. 9, 2021

Great power competition adds to challenges in Middle East

Great power competition is adding a level of risk and uncertainty in an already risky and uncertain part of the world: the Middle East, the commander of U.S. Central Command said.