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U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. William Thetford, U.S. Central Command’s senior enlisted leader delivers welcomes attendees and delivers opening remarks during the CENTCOM Joint Senior Enlisted Leaders Conference in Tampa, Fla. Sept. 6, 2018. The purpose of the four-day U.S. Central Command hosted conference is to provide a forum for senior enlisted leaders to explore ways to empower and develop their non-commissioned officer ranks and to build a network of multi-national senior enlisted professionals. Senior enlisted leaders from CENTCOM's component commands, five National Guard units and representatives from eight partner nations. (U.S. Central Command Public Affairs photo by Tom Gagnier)

Sept. 10, 2018

CENTCOM hosts Joint Senior Enlisted Leaders Conference

Tampa, Fla. — Senior enlisted leaders from U.S. Central Command, five National Guard units, and eight regional partner nations gathered for the CENTCOM Joint Senior Enlisted Leaders Conference Sept. 4 – 7 in Tampa, Fla.

Soldiers wave to residents during a patrol.

Sept. 8, 2018

Russian-Led Idlib Offensive Would Be Humanitarian Disaster, Dunford Says

NEW DELHI — The consequences of a Russian-Syrian regime offensive into Idlib, Syria, against terrorists hiding there would almost certainly be a humanitarian disaster, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said.

GULF OF ADEN (Aug. 30, 2018) Sailors stack a cache of more than 1,000 AK-47 automatic rifles aboard the guided-missile destroyer USS Jason Dunham (DDG 109). The ship's visit, board, search and seizure team seized the weapons from a skiff during a flag verification boarding as part of maritime security operations. Dunham is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations in support of naval operations to ensure maritime stability and security in the Central Region, connecting the Mediterranean and the Pacific through the western Indian Ocean and three strategic choke points. (Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Jonathan Clay)

Sept. 6, 2018

Jason Dunham Counts 2,521 AK-47s Seized

MANAMA, Bahrain -- The guided-missile destroyer USS Jason Dunham (DDG 109) seized an illicit weapons shipment found aboard a stateless skiff in the international waters of the Gulf of Aden, Aug. 28 now at counted 2,521 AK-47 automatic rifles. The count follows an initial estimate of over 1,000 rifles. The skiff was determined to be stateless following a flag verification boarding, conducted in accordance with international law. The origin and intended destination of the skiff have not yet been determined.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, left, speaks with Marine Corps Gen. Joe Dunford.

Sept. 5, 2018

U.S., Pakistani Leaders Agree to Reset Relationship

RAWALPINDI, Pakistan — Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Marine Corps Gen. Joe Dunford, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, held talks with Pakistani leaders in Islamabad to reset the relationship between the two countries.

An Italian Army general passes the Resolute Support Mission flag to U.S. Army Gen. Austin S. Miller.

Sept. 2, 2018

Miller Takes Over NATO, U.S. Commands in Afghanistan

WASHINGTON — Army Gen. Austin S. Miller assumed command of NATO’s Resolute Support Mission and U.S. Forces Afghanistan from Gen. John M. Nicholson during a ceremony in Kabul, Afghanistan.

An aerial view of the Pentagon building.

Aug. 31, 2018

Mattis, State Department Officials Meet With Middle East Representatives at the Pentagon

WASHINGTON — Defense Secretary James N. Mattis and State Department officials discussed shared strategic objectives and regional security challenges with representatives from the Gulf Cooperation Council states and other nations at the Pentagon.

Aug. 30, 2018

Jason Dunham Seizes Illicit Arms in Gulf of Aden

MANAMA, Bahrain -- The guided-missile destroyer USS Jason Dunham (DDG 109), deployed to U.S. 5th Fleet, seized an illicit shipment of arms from a stateless skiff in the international waters of the Gulf of Aden, on Aug. 28. The skiff was determined to be stateless following a flag verification boarding, conducted in accordance with international law. Illicit cargo discovered by the Dunham’s visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS) team included over 1,000 weapons.

Defense Secretary James N. Mattis and Marine Corps Gen. Joe Dunford stand at lecterns facing reporters raising their hands.

Aug. 28, 2018

Mattis: U.S. Military Becoming ‘Stronger, More Lethal, More Agile’

WASHINGTON — The Defense Department is making significant progress along its three strategic lines of effort outlined in the National Defense Strategy issued in January, Defense Secretary James N. Mattis told reporters at the Pentagon.

Canadian Brig. Gen. Dany Fortin the outgoing I Corps deputy commanding general for operations addresses the audience during a Courage Honors Ceremony on Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington June 13, 2017. Fortin was recognized during the farewell ceremony for his contributions to I Corps mission and awarded the Legion of Merit for his service. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Youtoy Martin, 5th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment)

Aug. 27, 2018

NATO names Canadian general to head alliance’s Iraq mission

WASHINGTON — Maj. Gen. Dany Fortin of the Canadian army will lead the new NATO mission in Iraq.

Valerie Nessel, the spouse of Tech. Sgt. John Chapman, stands as the citation is read before receiving the Medal of Honor from President Donald J. Trump during a ceremony at the White House in Washington, D.C., Aug. 22, 2018. Chapman was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for actions on Takur Ghar mountain in Afghanistan on March 4, 2002, when his elite special operations team was ambushed by the enemy and came under heavy fire from multiple directions. Chapman immediately charged an enemy bunker through thigh-deep snow and killed all enemy occupants. Courageously moving from cover to assault a second machine gun bunker, he was injured by enemy fire. Despite severe wounds, he fought relentlessly, sustaining a violent engagement with multiple enemy personnel before making the ultimate sacrifice. With his last actions, he saved the lives of his teammates. (U.S. Air Force photo by Wayne A. Clark)

Aug. 23, 2018

President presents Medal of Honor to fallen Air Force hero’s widow

WASHINGTON — On what would have been their 26th wedding anniversary, Valerie Nessel, the widow of fallen Air Force Tech. Sgt. John A. Chapman, accepted his Medal of Honor from President Donald J. Trump during a ceremony at the White House.