News Articles

May 12, 2020

Lebanon and Jordan partner with U.S. civil affairs amid global pandemic

COVID-19 has created a radically different set of problems for U.S. Special Operations Forces and their host nation partners across the globe. Already under considerable strain from hosting large numbers of refugees from Syria and facing mounting economic trouble, Lebanon and Jordan are confronting an invisible and insidious enemy - COVID-19. However, the Lebanese and Jordanian militaries are confronting this invisible enemy hand-in-hand with their American SOF counterparts. U.S. Special Operations Command Central (SOCCENT) has built and maintained strong partnerships with the Lebanese and Jordanian Armed Forces over a generation.

May 10, 2020

U.S., UK conducting mine countermeasure exercise in the Arabian Gulf

ARABIAN GULF — U.S. and UK Royal Navy mine countermeasures and surface assets are conducting Mine Countermeasures Exercise 2020 (MCMEX 20-3) in the Arabian Gulf April-May.

May 8, 2020

AFCENT continues to deliver airpower while combatting COVID-19

AL UDEID AIR BASE, Qatar — For more than four months, COVID-19 has drastically impacted the lives of millions of people from nations all around the globe. Despite the pandemic’s impact on the United States, U.S. Air Forces Central Command continues to deliver war-winning airpower across the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, while at the same time protecting the men and women who command and control our air, space, and cyber missions. For the joint and coalition team at the Combined Air Operations Center (CAOC), the command and control hub of air operations throughout the region, shutting down combat operations is not an option.   

May 6, 2020

1st TSC Soldiers complete mission: advise, assist, and enable Iraqi Security Force logistics

CAMP TAJI, Iraq — The 108th Sustainment Brigade’s forward element, Task Force Lincoln, Team Blackhawks, completed the logistics advise, assist, and enable mission under the 1st Theater Sustainment Command supporting Combined Joint Task Force — Operation Inherent Resolve enhancing the Sustainment capability of the Iraqi Army.

April 30, 2020

IMSC Holds Virtual Change of Command Ceremony

MANAMA, Bahrain — The International Maritime Security Construct (IMSC) headquarters held a change of command ceremony between two British officers at Naval Support Activity, Bahrain April 30.

April 28, 2020

Eisenhower Strike Group participates in interoperability exercises with French Navy

ARABIAN SEA — USS Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group (CSG) and the French Navy conducted a bilateral, interoperability exercise in the North Arabian Sea April 25- 26, 2020.

April 21, 2020

U.S. Navy Surface Forces and Army Helicopters Conduct Live Fire Exercise in North Arabian Gulf

U.S. Army AH-64E Apache attack helicopters assigned to U.S. Army Central Command’s (USARCENT) Task Force Saber conducted a live fire exercise with ships assigned to U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (USNAVCENT) in the North Arabian Gulf April 16-19.

April 15, 2020

IRGCN Vessels Conduct Unsafe, Unprofessional Interaction with U.S. Naval Forces in Arabian Gulf

NAVAL SUPPORT ACTIVITY BAHRAIN — On April 15, eleven Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy (IRGCN) vessels repeatedly conducted dangerous and harassing approaches of the USS Lewis B. Puller (ESB 3), USS Paul Hamilton (DDG 60), USS Firebolt (PC 10), USS Sirocco (PC 6), USCGC Wrangell (WPB 1332) and USCGC Maui (WPB 1304) while the U.S. vessels were conducting joint integration operations with U.S. Army AH-64E Apache attack helicopters in the international waters of the North Arabian Gulf.

April 15, 2020

DOD continues global military operations even as it battles COVID-19

Even as the Defense Department supports the whole-of-government response to the COVID-19 pandemic, it continues its vital national security missions, Defense Secretary Dr. Mark T. Esper said yesterday during a Pentagon news conference.

April 13, 2020

Bataan Amphibious Ready Group/26th Marine Expeditionary Unit stay mission ready during pandemic

ARABIAN SEA — The Sailors and Marines of the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and embarked 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit are taking additional precautions while deployed at sea to stay healthy and mission ready in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations. “The Bataan ARG and 26th MEU team is taking significant steps to remain a flexible, adaptive and persistent force in this region during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic,” said Capt. Lance Lesher, Commodore of the ARG. “We are a fully capable crisis response team for our nation. We are inspired by the strength of our families, who are enduring this pandemic back home, and in their honor, we stand strong and ready for any mission our country gives us.”