Feb. 12, 2018

Mattis Looks to NATO, Future of ISIS Fight

WASHINGTON — Defense Secretary James N. Mattis told reporters that he plans to discuss the way ahead against the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria as well as the future of NATO during a six-day trip to meet with defense leaders from around the world.

Feb. 8, 2018

Afghanistan’s Military Primed to “Cripple” Enemies, Thanks to Increased Air Capabilities

KABUL, Afghanistan (February 7, 2018) – A strong Afghan Air Force just got a whole lot stronger, according to U.S. Air Force Major General James Hecker, director, NATO Air Command-Afghanistan.

Feb. 7, 2018

U.S. Forces Strike Taliban, East Turkestan Islamic Movement Training Sites

WASHINGTON — U.S. forces conducted air operations to strike Taliban and East Turkestan Islamic Movement training facilities in Afghanistan’s Badakhshan province, the commander of NATO air operations in Afghanistan said.

Feb. 6, 2018

New Air Campaign Expands to the North

KABUL, Afghanistan (February 6, 2018) – United States Forces-Afghanistan launched a series of precision strikes in Northern Afghanistan in a direct effort to destroy insurgent revenue sources, training facilities, and support networks. Over the past 96 hours, U.S. forces conducted air operations to strike Taliban training facilities in Badakhshan province, preventing the planning and rehearsal of terrorist acts near the border with China and Tajikistan. The strikes also destroyed stolen Afghan National Army vehicles that were in the process of being converted to vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices.

Feb. 2, 2018

Afghan forces apply pressure to insurgents with renewed resolve

KABUL, Afghanistan – Recent high-profile attacks against innocent Afghans, thriving economic centers, and even charitable organizations exhibit both the shifting tactics of the enemies of Afghanistan and their willingness to commit war crimes and murder. "Taliban must choose between Islam and terrorism, between humanity and barbarism,” said Afghan President Ashraf Ghani Jan. 29. "Those who consider themselves Muslims and Afghans must now separate themselves, in words and actions, from those barbaric puppets of religious manipulators and intelligence agencies.”

Jan. 29, 2018

U.S. Navy, Royal Saudi Naval Forces conclude exercise Indigo Response 18

JEDDAH, SAUDI ARABIA — Royal Saudi Naval Forces (RSNF) and U.S. Navy explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) technicians wrapped up a week of advanced training during underwater mine countermeasures (MCM) exercise Indigo Response Jan. 25, 2018.

Jan. 26, 2018

USCENTCOM commander Gen. Votel visits 1st SFAB during JRTC rotation

FORT POLK, La. — Gen. Joseph L. Votel, commander of the United States Central Command, visited Soldiers of 1st Security Force Assistance Brigade during their month-long training at the Joint Readiness Training Center at Fort Polk, Louisiana, Jan. 18.

Jan. 24, 2018

Non-lethal weapons on display at MacDill AFB range

MacDill AFB, Fla. — Joint service military personnel from U.S. Central Command (USCENTCOM) were given the opportunity to fire non-lethal weapons (NLW) at the MacDill Air force Base (AFB) firing range during a familiarization event (FAMFIRE), January 18, 2018.

Jan. 22, 2018

National Defense Strategy a ‘Good Fit for Our Times,’ Mattis Says

WASHINGTON — The new National Defense Strategy is a good fit for the times, emphasizing the return of great power rivalry, yet still addressing other threats that abound in the world today, Defense Secretary James N. Mattis said today.

Jan. 22, 2018

Kuwait and US navies conclude EOD exercise Eager Response 18

MOHAMMED AL-AHMAD NAVAL BASE, Kuwait — Kuwait Naval Force (KNF) and U.S. Navy explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) technicians completed a week of advanced training during an explosive ordnance disposal and mine countermeasure operations exercise Eager Response Jan. 11.