March 6, 2020

U.S. Army authorizes combat patch for service in Somalia

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Army has authorized the wearing of the combat patch -- officially known as the "shoulder sleeve insignia for former wartime service" -- for Soldiers who have been deployed, temporarily stationed or permanently assigned to Somalia since 2004 and who received combat zone tax exclusion plus hostile fire pay and/or imminent danger pay. "The shoulder sleeve insignia is a unique Army tradition that distinguishes Soldiers who have served in areas of combat, and our Soldiers in Somalia have certainly earned this recognition," said Gen. James McConville, Chief of Staff of the Army.

March 4, 2020

Triple Nickel completes historic deployment to AUAB

AL UDEID AIR BASE, QATAR — More than 300 Airmen with the 555th Fighter Squadron, also known as the “world famous, highly-respected” Triple Nickel, completed the first leg of their deployment after departing Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar in late Feb. 2020. The Triple Nickel is an F-16 Fighting Falcon squadron that provides combat air power and performs air and space control and force application roles including air interdiction and close-air support in support of joint, NATO, and combined operations throughout the U.S. Air Forces Central Command area of responsibility.

March 4, 2020

Crown Prince of Bahrain visits NAVCENT

MANAMA, Bahrain — The Crown Prince of Bahrain, His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al-Khalifa, visited U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT) and the U.K. led International Maritime Security Construct (IMSC) Task Force SENTINEL on Naval Support Activity Bahrain, March 3.

March 2, 2020

Gen. Charles Q. Brown nominated to be next Air Force Chief of Staff

ARLINGTON, Va. (AFNS) — If confirmed by the Senate, Gen. Charles Q. Brown would assume one of the two highest positions in the Air Force from Gen. David L. Goldfein, who is retiring June 30 after four years as Chief of Staff. Brown would be the first African-American to serve as a service chief.

March 2, 2020

U.S., NATO Leaders Thank Troops for Afghanistan Service

Kabul, Afghanistan — Defense Secretary Dr. Mark T. Esper and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg thanked U.S. and NATO service members who have served and are serving in Afghanistan on a day of tremendous hope for peace.

Feb. 27, 2020

US, Saudi bilateral maritime exercise begins

JUBAIL, SAUDI ARABIA (NNS) — The U.S. Navy and the Royal Saudi Naval Forces are participating in exercise Nautical Defender 20 (ND 20), Feb. 23-27.

Feb. 27, 2020

U.S. Marine Forces, Central Command begin Exercise Native Fury 2020

United Arab Emirates — U.S. Marine Forces, Central Command and I Marine Expeditionary Force (I MEF), in coordination with the United Arab Emirates Armed Forces, will begin Exercise Native Fury 2020 on March 8. Native Fury is a bi-annual exercise that has been occurring in the region since 2008, and this is the 7th iteration of the exercise.

Feb. 26, 2020

25th Infantry Division and Iraqi Army conduct security operations at Al Asad Airbase

AL ASAD AIRBASE, Iraq — Installation security is of the utmost importance in the fight against the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, enabling Iraqi and coalition forces to maneuver freely and bring the fight to wherever the enemy hides.

Feb. 26, 2020

US, Saudi Bi-Lateral Maritime Exercise Begins

JUBAIL, SAUDI ARABIA — The U.S. Navy and the Royal Saudi Naval Forces (RSNF) are participating in exercise Nautical Defender 20 (ND 20), Feb. 23-27.

Feb. 24, 2020

3rd SFAB and Kurdish Peshmerga work side by side to defeat threats

ERBIL, Iraq — In the Makmuhr mountains of northern Iraq where fighters for the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria are regrouping and reforming, the Kurdish Peshmerga operate a small military base close to a series of lookout posts where ISIS fighters have attempted to infiltrate Iraq’s Kurdistan region. Just last week, ISIS fighters attacked and injured several local shepherds in the area before local fighters killed them.