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Archive: September, 2018

U.S. Marines with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 211, 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), load ordnance into an F-35B Lightning II aboard the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2) in preparation for the F-35B's first combat strike, Sept. 27, 2018. The Essex is the flagship for the Essex Amphibious Ready Group and, with the embarked 13th MEU, 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. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. A. J. Van Fredenberg/Released)

Sept. 28, 2018

USMC F-35B conducts first combat strike in CENTCOM AOR

During this mission, the F-35B conducted an air strike in support of ground clearance operations, and the strike was deemed successful by the ground force commander.

Defense Secretary James N. Mattis speaks to reporters during a news conference at the Pentagon, Sept. 24, 2018. DoD photo by Jim Garamone

Sept. 25, 2018

Mattis stresses Geneva process for Syria

WASHINGTON — The fight continues in the Middle Euphrates River Valley to wrest the last 2 percent of land once controlled by the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria from the grasp of the terror group, Defense Secretary James N. Mattis said here today.

Sept. 24, 2018

Task Force 55 Conducts GUNNEX

ARABIAN GULF -- Ships from Task Force (TF) 55 conducted a gunnery exercise (GUNNEX) in the Arabian Gulf, Sept. 19. Participants included guided-missile destroyer USS The Sullivans (DDG 68) and coastal patrol ships USS Hurricane (PC 3), USS Monsoon (PC 4), USS Sirocco (PC 6) and USS Firebolt (PC 10).

Defense Intelligence Agency Director Army Lt. Gen. Robert P. Ashley Jr. takes part in a Center for Strategic and International Studies event in Washington, Sept. 17, 2018. DoD photo by Dave Richards

Sept. 20, 2018

Defense Intel Chief puts great power competition in context

WASHINGTON — People told the director of the Defense Intelligence Agency that in his speech to the Center for Strategic and International Studies he should just say “Great power competition, artificial intelligence” and then drop the mic and walk off.

Utah Army National Guard Spec. Chanson Hardy (right) and a Tajik National Army officer evaluate a scenario during command post exercise Regional Cooperation 18 (RC18) at Camp Edwards on Joint Base Cape Cod, Massachusetts, Sept. 15, 2018. Regional Cooperation is an annual exercise conducted by multiple national partners that strengthens military-to-military relationships between U.S. forces and nations in Central and South Asia. The exercise enhances regional security and stability by exercising a response to current regional security concerns. (U.S. Central Command Public Affairs photo by Tom Gagnier)

Sept. 19, 2018

Five nations participate in exercise Regional Cooperation 18

Cape Cod, Mass. — More than 200 service members from five nations are conducting Regional Cooperation 2018 (RC18), a joint command-post exercise, Sept. 10 - 21, at Camp Edwards on Joint Base Cape Cod, Massachusetts.

Soldiers from both the United States and Egyptian armed forces review battle plans during the command post exercise September 10, 2018. The command post exercise was designed to strengthen strategic relationships between multinational armed forces to solve potential real life threats. (U.S. Army photo by 1st Lt. Jeffrey Dallin Belnap)

Sept. 19, 2018

Bright Star Command Post Exercise Pursues Strategic Partnership

MOHAMED NAGUIB BASE, Egypt — U.S. and Egyptian armed forces took part in a multilateral Command Post Exercise (CPX) on September 9-17 during Bright Star 18.

Soldiers approach a Howitzer after it is fired in the desert.

Sept. 18, 2018

Coalition effort aims at stability in Iraq, Syria

WASHINGTON — The coalition continues to help forces in both Iraq and Syria establish security and stability in areas that have known nothing but oppression since the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria reared its head five years ago, the spokesman for Operation Inherent Resolve said.

U.S Army Soldiers assigned to Company A, 1st Battalion, 155th Infantry Regiment, 155th Armored Brigade Combat Team, Task Force Spartan, bound toward an objective during a rehearsal for a combined live-fire exercise near Alexandria, Egypt, Sept. 10, 2018. The 155th ABCT is in the Arab Republic of Egypt taking part in Exercise Bright Star 18, a multilateral U.S. Central Command training exercise. Bright Star 18 provides an opportunity for U.S. Central Command to pursue better ways to address specific threats to regional security at the tactical, operational, and strategic levels with their Egyptian and other regional partners. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. James Lefty Larimer)

Sept. 18, 2018

155th ABCT Conducts CALFEX At Exercise Bright Star 18

MOHAMED NAGUIB MILITARY BASE, Egypt — Careening across the Egyptian desert at nearly 40 mph, inside a 70,000-pound armored vehicle, for hours on end can be an incredibly disorienting experience for the uninitiated. Exhaust fumes and dust pour into the dark cabin; your ears are assaulted by the clatter of the tracks beneath you as they churn up rocks. The constant, overwhelming vibration and jarring movements slam you into the Soldiers packed in around you quickly inducing the flashes of motion sickness.

Vice President Mike Pence speaks at the 9/11 observance ceremony at the Pentagon.

Sept. 11, 2018

Vice President, DoD Leaders Honor Pentagon’s 9/11 Sacrifices

WASHINGTON — Vice President Mike Pence, Defense Secretary James N. Mattis and Air Force Gen. Paul J. Selva joined Defense Department employees, family members and others to remember those who lost their lives in the 9/11 terrorist attack on the Pentagon.

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.