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U.S. Soldiers with the 4-118th Infantry Regiment, 30th Armored Brigade Combat Team, North Carolina Army National Guard (attached to the 218th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, South Carolina Army National Guard) conduct gunnery training with the M2A2 Bradley Fighting Vehicle at Fort Bliss, Texas, in September 2019. The 30th Armored Brigade Combat Team is mobilized for Operation Spartan Shield in the Middle East and includes units from the North Carolina, South Carolina, Ohio and West Virginia Army National Guard.

Nov. 1, 2019

30th ABCT provides armored vehicles in fight against ISIS

UNDISCLOSED LOCATION – "We have been training for this mission and we are ready to execute it," said Army Col. Robert Bumgardner, commander of the 30th Armored Brigade Combat Team, North Carolina Army National Guard.The 30th Armored Brigade Combat Team, nicknamed Old Hickory, recently provided M2A2 Bradley Fighting Vehicles to support Operation

Pfc. Stefan Moreno, petroleum supply specialist, 574th Composite Suppy Company, performs an American Petroleum Institute (API) gravity test on a batch of fuel at Erbil, Iraq, Oct. 16, 2019. The API gravity test measures how heavy or light petroleum is compared to water, which is used to compare densities of petroleum liquids.

Nov. 1, 2019

Liquid Logisticians Conduct Mission in Middle East

ERBIL, IRAQ — Petroleum supply specialists, categorized as military occupational specialty (MOS) 92F, oversee the Army's use of petroleum - but their duties far exceed those of gas station clerks.

Marines assigned to Fleet Anti-Terrorism Security Team, Central Command (FASTCENT) prepare to be extracted by a Navy MH-60S Seahawk, attached to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 26 (HSC-26) from the Arc Liberty, a Military Sealift Command time chartered vessel, after providing security during a Strait of Hormuz transit. FASTCENT Marines work with U.S. partners and allies to protect personnel and property while simultaneously ensuring freedom of navigation in international waterways. Task Force 51 and 5th Marine Expeditionary Brigade is entrusted with rapidly aggregating crisis response capabilities and positioning Navy and Marine Corps forces throughout the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility to ensure command and control of forces at sea, from the sea, and ashore. (Photo by Marine Corps Cpl. Tanner A. Gerst)

Nov. 1, 2019

U.S. Marines embark merchant vessel to provide security during Strait of Hormuz transit

STRAIT OF HORMUZ — Marines and Sailors deployed with Fleet Anti-Terrorism Security Team, Central Command (FASTCENT) Company, assigned to Naval Amphibious Force, Task Force 51/5th Marine Expeditionary Brigade (TF 51/5th MEB), embarked on a Military Sealift Command time chartered vessel in the Arabian Gulf to provide security during a Strait of Hormuz transit Oct. 21, 2019.

Oct. 31, 2019

Central Command Chief gives details on Baghdadi raid

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Marine Corps Gen. Kenneth F. McKenzie briefed Pentagon reporters today on the Oct. 26 raid in northwestern Syria that resulted in Baghdadi's death. Pentagon officials also released videos of the raid. McKenzie said planning for the raid began much earlier. He said Baghdadi was a priority target for Centcom, and as a result, was the subject of an intense effort to bring him to justice.

Defense Secretary Dr. Mark T. Esper and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Army Gen. Mark A. Milley conduct a news conference at the Pentagon, Oct. 28, 2019.

Oct. 29, 2019

Esper: Baghdadi death provides warning to terrorists

WASHINGTON D.C. — "The United States — more than any nation in the world — possesses the power and the will to hunt to the ends of the Earth those who wish to bring harm to the American people," Esper said at a Pentagon news conference today. "Saturday's operation is just one example of the determination and great skill of the U.S. military." Baghdadi detonated a suicide vest rather than be captured by the American special operations forces. The raid was the culmination of a multiyear interagency effort to find the terror leader and then capture or kill him.

Airman 1st Class Blake Bullock, a crew chief from the 20th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron at Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., marshals F-16 Fighting Falcons upon their arrival at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, Oct. 25, 2019. While assigned to the 455th Air Expeditionary Wing at Bagram, the F-16s will help provide decisive airpower through the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. The airpower the wing provides ensures NATO forces can focus on their mission to train, advise and assist.(U.S. Air Force photo by 2nd Lt. Brigitte N. Brantley)

Oct. 25, 2019

F-16s arrive at Bagram Airfield

BAGRAM AIR FIELD, AFGHANISTAN — U.S. Airmen and equipment assigned to the 79th Fighter Squadron, 20th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron and other supporting units out of Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., arrived at Bagram Airfield Oct. 25.

191021-N-KZ419-1055 NAVAL SUPPORT ACTIVITY BAHRAIN, Bahrain (Oct. 21, 2019) Rear Adm. Doug Beal, vice commander of U.S. 5th Fleet, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command and Combined Maritime Forces, speaks during the opening ceremony of International Maritime Exercise (IMX) 2019. IMX 2019 is a multinational engagement involving partners and allies from around the world sharing knowledge and experiences across the full spectrum of defensive maritime operations. The exercise serves to demonstrate global resolve in maintaining regional security and stability, freedom of navigation and the free flow of commerce from the Suez Canal south to the Bab-el-Mandeb through the Strait of Hormuz to the Northern Arabian Gulf. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Dawson Roth/Released)

Oct. 21, 2019

IMX 19 commences in U.S. 5th Fleet Area of Operations

International Maritime Exercise 2019 (IMX 19), a multinational exercise featuring assets and personnel from more than 50 partner nations and seven international organizations, begins Oct. 21. IMX 19 demonstrates the international community’s resolve in maintaining regional security and stability, freedom of navigation and the free flow of commerce in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations. The exercise will span from the Suez Canal south to the Bab-al-Mandeb, through the Strait of Hormuz and into the Northern Arabian Gulf. The exercise consists of four phases: staff training, table-top and classroom exercises, fleet training exercise (FTX), and force redeployment.

New Jersey National Guard Soldiers, with 1st Squadron, 102nd Calvary Regiment, 44th Infantry Brigade Combat Team of the 42nd Infantry Division, watch as Jordan Border Guard Force Soldiers, with the 7th Mechanized Battalion, 48th Mechanized Brigade, fire live ammunition at a range during a Jordan Operational Engagement Program (JOEP) training cycle at Joint Training Center-Jordan in September 2019. Jordan and the United States have a strong and enduring partnership in regard to joint training and the JOEP further cements that partnership through persistent training with the Border Guard Forces, Quick Reaction Forces and the 77th Marine Battalion. (U.S. Army photo by Maj. David Zuzak)

Oct. 15, 2019

Jordan, U.S. celebrate training cycle completion

JORDAN — New Jersey National Guard Soldiers, with 1st Squadron, 102nd Calvary Regiment, 44th Infantry Brigade Combat Team of the 42nd Infantry Division, and Jordan Border Guard Force Soldiers, with the 7th Mechanized Battalion, 48th Mechanized Brigade, participated in a closing ceremony for the completion of their Jordan Operational Engagement Program (JOEP) training cycle at Joint Training Center-Jordan October 3, 2019.

Enlisted RQ-4 Global Hawk crew members pose for a photo Oct. 10, 2019, at Al Dhafra Air Base, United Arab Emirates. For the first time downrange, an all-enlisted crew launched and recovered an RQ-4s to perform operations out of Al Dhafra Air Base, United Arab Emirates, Sept. 13, 2019. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Chris Thornbury)

Oct. 10, 2019

All-enlisted RPA crew operates out of ADAB

AL DHAFRA AIR BASE, United Arab Emirates — For the first time downrange, an all-enlisted crew launched and recovered an RQ-4 Global Hawk to perform operations out of Al Dhafra Air Base, United Arab Emirates, Sept. 13, 2019.

380th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron Airmen take cover and fire from behind a barrier during a simunition proficiency firing course held on Al Dhafra Air Base, United Arab Emirates, Sept. 29, 2019.

Oct. 10, 2019

380th ESFS brings proficiency firing to the AOR

AL DHAFRA AIR BASE, United Arab Emirates — The 380th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron has worked diligently this year to bolster their training program and bring increased lethality to Al Dhafra Air Base.