July 26, 2023

Squadron of F-35 Lightning IIs arrive in U.S. Central Command Area of Responsibility

SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. — As part of a pre-announced Department of Defense deployment, a squadron of U.S. Air Force F-35 Lightning IIs has arrived in the U.S. Central Command Area of Responsibility. While deployed in support of Air Forces Central missions, the 421st Expeditionary Fighter Squadron from Hill AFB, Utah will help defend interests, promote regional security and safeguard freedom of navigation in the region. In coordination with our regional allies, partners and the U.S. Navy, the F-35’s will partner with A-10 and F-16s already in theater helping monitor the Strait of Hormuz. The F-35’s increased capacity and capability will allow the U.S. to fly in contested airspace across the theater if required. This deployment demonstrates the U.S.’s commitment to ensure peace and security in the region, through maritime support and support to the coalition’s enduring mission to defeat ISIS in Syria. Due to operational security and host nation requests, we cannot discuss the length of the deployment or specific locations.

July 25, 2023

USARCENT’s 1st TSC Demonstrates Autonomous Vehicles in Kuwait

CAMP BUEHRING, KUWAIT – The 1st Theater Sustainment Command, a subordinate command of U.S. Army Central, demonstrated three autonomous vehicles at the Udairi Range Complex near Camp Buehring, Kuwait, on 25 July, 2023. This is the first time these ground-breaking systems were publicly displayed in the U.S. Central Command region. The vehicles, three Palletized Loading Systems or “PLS”, are intended to decrease risk during combat operations by reducing the manpower required by traditional, non-autonomous systems. PLSs are ten wheeled logistics vehicles first introduced in the early 1990s. They are designed to transport palletized loads or containers in support of both combat and non-combat operations.

July 25, 2023

USARCENT Trains Deploying Soldiers in counter-UAS

U.S. Army Central conducted the inaugural “Green Sands” training July 13 to 24 at Camp Buehring, Kuwait. Green Sands” is designed to incorporate counter-unmanned aerial systems, or counter-UAS, into base defense operations. The training consists of both command post exercises in a Base Defense Operations Center, or BDOC, and a counter-UAS live fire.

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.