Aug. 5, 2020

Operation Silent Sentry: 5,500 days and counting

PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. — As space and cyberspace become more competitive and crowded, the amount of signals transferred through satellites grows every day. Each signal takes up space in the electromagnetic spectrum. For 5,500 consecutive days, Operation Silent Sentry has been run by Total Force Airmen from the 16th Space Control Squadron and the 380th Space Control

Aug. 5, 2020

Lebanese Armed Forces, U.S. Navy Conduct Resolute Union Virtually Amid COVID-19 Pandemic

MANAMA, Bahrain — a U.S. Coastguard Maritime Engagement Team (MET), and additional supporting staff members. “The use of virtual exchanges allows us to leverage established relationships and connectivity, and strengthen interoperability with our regional partners,” said Vice Adm. Jim Malloy, Commander of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command, U.S. 5th Fleet, Combined Maritime Forces. “RU20 is an example of innovative solutions allowing the U.S. Navy to deepen our relationship with the superb Lebanese Armed Forces navy and marine corps, and continue building interoperability with this capable force - ensuring we fight through and overcome challenges together.”

Aug. 5, 2020

U.S. Navy Escorts Army Logistics Support Vessels Out of 5th Fleet after 20 Year Tour of Duty

ARABIAN GULF — U.S. Navy warships assigned to U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT), escorted two U.S. Army Frank S. Besson class logistics support vessels (LSV), assigned to U.S. Army Central Command (ARCENT), as they transited out of the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations (AOO), July-August. The two LSVs, Major General Charles P. Gross (LSV 5) and Specialist 4 James A. Loux (LSV 6), had been forward deployed to the region for 20 years in support of U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) tasking, and were departing Kuwait as a result of an Army-wide restructuring and asset allocation.

Aug. 4, 2020

Navy’s Only Female Commissioned Flying Warrant Officer Retires at Sea

ARABIAN SEA — Lt. Amy Blades-Langjahr, from Casper, Wyoming, was launched from USS Nimitz on a C-2 Greyhound for her last flight in the fleet Aug. 3. The only female Flying Chief Warrant Officer ever commissioned in the U.S. Navy rose from the ranks before retiring at the end of her “Shooter” tour, a career that spanned the entire Global War on Terror.

Aug. 3, 2020

HMS Montrose Patrolling the IRTC for Maritime Security

BAHRAIN — HMS Montrose, a Coalition Task Force (CTF) SENTINEL warship, has been patrolling the Internationally Recommended Transit Corridor (IRTC) in the Gulf of Aden. “Our ships routinely patrol these waters in order to provide reassurance to merchant vessels, maintain freedom of navigation and the free flow of commerce,” said Royal Navy Commodore Rob Bellfield, CTF Sentinel commander. “The Gulf of Aden is one of the most strategically important waterways in the Middle East region and it is vitally important that seafarers feel safe operating in the area.”

July 30, 2020

F-35 crews conquer new territory in CENTCOM AOR

AL DHAFRA AIR BASE, United Arab Emirates — The 421st Expeditionary Fighter Squadron did something in early July which had never been done before by an F-35A Lightning II unit - go into alert status.The squadron performed alert status exercises to provide the necessary data points to mission planners with the U.S. Air Force Central Command Air Operations Center.“This hasn’t been done before

July 29, 2020

Defeating Daesh Highlights of the Week July 29, 2020

SOUTHWEST ASIA — Our partners in Iraq and Syria are leading the way to find and eliminate Daesh fighters and their finance, logistics, and media networks. “Stronger border security will disrupt ISIS smuggling networks,” said Col. Myles B. Caggins III, Coalition military spokesman.

July 28, 2020

Like a BOS: Unit provides life support for troops and civilians

AL ASAD AIR BASE, IRAQ — Operating a military base is not easy work. Latrines have to be cleaned. Housing has to be administered. Contractors have to be supervised. Water and food have to be tracked. Trash has to be properly disposed. Traffic rules have to be enforced. Vehicles have to be maintained.

July 27, 2020

Raven Bs: Enhancing force protection mission capabilities for AUAB

QATAR — Security Forces is the largest career field in the U.S. Air Force and debatably one of the most diverse. Members are specifically trained on security, defense, law enforcement, combat arms and military working dogs. For some defenders, they are presented the opportunity to expand even further into one of these specialized jobs they may not have known were possible for them.

July 24, 2020

Nimitz Carrier Strike Group Enters 5th Fleet

INDIAN OCEAN — The aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68), the flagship of the Nimitz Carrier Strike Group (CSG), entered the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations (AOO), July 24. Deploying ships and aircraft of the strike group, commanded by Rear Adm. Jim Kirk, include Nimitz, the nine squadrons and staff of Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 17, staffs of CSG 11 and Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 9, the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Princeton (CG 59) and Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS Sterett (DDG 104) and USS Ralph Johnson (DDG 114).