July 25, 2023

Russian unprofessional behavior over Syria - 23 July 2023

SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. — “On 23 July, 2023 at 12:23 a.m. (EST), Russian fighter aircraft flew dangerously close to a U.S. MQ-9 drone on a defeat-ISIS mission, harassing the MQ-9 and deploying flares from a position directly overhead, with only a few meters of separation between aircraft. One of the Russian flares struck the U.S. MQ-9, severely damaging its propeller. Fortunately, the MQ-9 crew was able to maintain flight and safely recover the aircraft to its home base. The Russian fighter’s blatant disregard for flight safety detracts from our mission to ensure the enduring defeat of ISIS. We call upon the Russian forces in Syria to put an immediate end to this reckless, unprovoked, and unprofessional behavior.” - Attributed to Lt Gen Alex Grynkewich, Commander, 9th AF (AFCENT) and Combined Forces Air Component Commander (CFACC) for CENTCOM

July 22, 2023

Air Forces Central conducts C-UAS exercise with UK, France, and regional partners

AL UDEID AIR BASE, Qatar — U.S. Air Forces Central (AFCENT) has successfully concluded a comprehensive Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems exercise on July 20, which aimed at enhancing integration, interoperability, and lethality among participating nations. The exercise brought together air forces from the United States, United Kingdom, France, and three other regional air forces, fostering collaboration and strengthening institutional capacity in countering the evolving UAS threat.

July 18, 2023

Exercise Intrepid Maven 23.4 Concludes in Jordan

CAMP AL-QUAWAYRAH, Jordan - Intrepid Maven 23.4 concluded in southern Jordan on July 13, 2023. The exercise included more than 450 U.S. Marines and Sailors, alongside partnering elements of the Jordanian Armed Forces, who conducted infantry-based training, fire and maneuver, communications, medical, individual and collective marksmanship and gunnery skills and fire support coordination.

July 18, 2023

U.S. Naval Forces Complete Annual Maritime Exercise with Lebanon

BEIRUT, Lebanon — Naval forces from Lebanon, the United States and regional partners completed a nine-day maritime exercise ashore and near the coast of Lebanon, July 18.

July 16, 2023

New Multinational Task Force Conducts Maritime Training in the Seychelles

MANAMA, Bahrain — Combined Maritime Forces, the world’s largest multinational naval partnership, completed a two-week training mission in the Indian Ocean island nation of the Seychelles, July 14, to enhance operational readiness for 160 participants from five nations.

July 13, 2023

Beyond Borders: A Lebanese-American Marine’s Training in the Levant

AL-QUAWAYRAH, Jordan – U.S. Marine Corps reservist Pfc. Nadi Chams is a native of Jacksonville, Florida, and is currently serving as an assault amphibious vehicle crewman with 4th Assault Amphibian Battalion, 4th Marine Division. Born in Tampa, Florida, Chams moved to Beirut, Lebanon as a young child and for the next 16 years was immersed in his native Arabic culture and language. During his last year of high school, Chams moved back to Jacksonville. There he was contacted by a Marine Corps recruiter, who left a lasting impression on him. The professionalism and competency that his recruiter portrayed and personified the Corps’ values of honor, courage and commitment made choosing the Marine Corps an easy decision.

July 6, 2023

Russian unprofessional behavior over Syria - 6 July 2023

SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. — “Russian military aircraft engaged in unsafe and unprofessional behavior Thursday, 9:30 A.M. local time, while interacting with U.S. MQ-9 drones carrying out our D-ISIS mission in Syria. Russian aircraft dropped flares in front of the drones and flew dangerously close, endangering the safety of all aircraft involved. This is the second instance of dangerous behaviors by Russian pilots within the past 24 hours, with the first happening Wednesday at approximately 10:40 A.M. local time. In that instance, Russian jets launched parachute flares at the drones and traveled dangerously close to the drones, forcing U.S. pilots to perform evasive maneuvers. These events represent another example of unprofessional and unsafe actions by Russian air forces operating in Syria, which threaten the safety of both Coalition and Russian forces. We urge Russian forces in Syria to cease this reckless behavior and adhere to the standards of behavior expected of a professional air force so we can resume our focus on the enduring defeat of ISIS. The U.S. Air Forces Central remains committed to ensuring the safety and security of its personnel and assets and continues to work closely with partners and allies to address these incidents and prevent any escalation of tensions in the region. The safety of military personnel and the success of the mission against ISIS depend on the professional and responsible conduct of all forces operating in the region. Attributed to Lt Gen Alex Grynkewich, Commander, 9th AF (AFCENT) and Combined Forces Air Component Commander (CFACC) for CENTCOM.

July 6, 2023

Combined Task Force 151 Staff Visit Japanese Navy Ship

MANAMA, Bahrain — Multinational staff from a Combined Maritime Forces task force focused on deterring piracy visited a Japanese warship to meet the crew while the ship was pierside in Bahrain, July 2.

July 5, 2023

Russian unprofessional behavior over Syria - 5 July 2023

SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. — “Earlier today at approximately 10:40 A.M., Russian military aircraft engaged in unsafe and unprofessional behavior while interacting with U.S. aircraft in Syria. While three U.S. MQ-9 drones were conducting a mission against ISIS targets, three Russian fighter jets began harassing the drones. Against established norms and protocols, the Russian jets dropped multiple parachute flares in front of the drones, forcing our aircraft to conduct evasive maneuvers. Additionally, one Russian pilot positioned their aircraft in front of an MQ-9 and engaged afterburner, thereby reducing the operator’s ability to safely operate the aircraft. These events represent another example of unprofessional and unsafe actions by Russian air forces operating in Syria, which threaten the safety of both U.S. and Russian forces. We urge Russian forces in Syria to cease this reckless behavior and adhere to the standards of behavior expected of a professional air force so we can resume our focus on the enduring defeat of ISIS.” - Attributed to Lt Gen Alex Grynkewich, Commander, 9th AF (AFCENT) and Combined Forces Air Component Commander (CFACC) for CENTCOM

July 5, 2023

Exercise Intrepid Maven 23.4 to Commence in Jordan

CAMP AL-QUAWAYRAH, Jordan – Approximately 450 Marines and Sailors, alongside partnering infantry and artillery elements of the Jordanian Armed Forces, are participating in Exercise Intrepid Maven 23.4, set to occur at various locations within Jordan from July 3-13, 2023. Exercise Intrepid Maven is a U. S. Marine Corps Forces, Central Command-conceptualized and -implemented exercise series designed in late 2021, with the first iteration having occurred in Jordan in March 2022. The series, to include IM 23.4, is designed to strengthen partnerships, produce training opportunities, contribute to interoperability and improve conditions for regional security. “Exercise Intrepid Maven is a premier venue for Marines to deploy and train with our key Partners in the CENTCOM Area of Responsibility. This iteration features U.S. Marines and Sailors working with the Jordanian Armed Forces, training together with the collective goal of increasing readiness and deepening the relationship between our forces,” said Major General Paul J. Rock Jr., commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Central Command. “The CENTCOM AOR is a dynamic region with equally dynamic threats to regional security. This exercise is an opportunity to strengthen our ability to respond to these threats.” Episodic in nature, Intrepid Maven, which occurs with anywhere from one to any of a number of partner nations during each iteration, is a force deployment-tailored training series designed to demonstrate persistence in partnering; to prepare for the demands of a volatile and fluid AOR; to conduct unit-level training in new and challenging areas, spaces and facilities; and to demonstrate service ability to project forces to meet emergent requirements, all with the objective of gaining and maintaining unit readiness, deterring malicious adversary intent and demonstrating global responsiveness for crisis-response and contingencies. Intrepid Maven 23.4 is the eighth iteration of Exercise Intrepid Maven and will include training in fire and maneuver, communications, medical, individual and collective marksmanship and gunnery skills, and fire support coordination. Intrepid Maven 23.4 marks the second occurrence of the Intrepid Maven series between U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Central Command and the Jordanian Armed Forces. For more information about Intrepid Maven 23.4, visit https://www.dvidshub.net/feature/IntrepidMavenJordan. Photos, videos, and other media will be uploaded here daily for the duration of the exercise.