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Archive: 2019

U.S. Central Command's U.S. Army Gen. Joseph Votel gives opening remarks at the "Gulf+2" chiefs of defense conference at the command's headquarters Mar. 19. More than 30 visitors from eight Arab nations came to discuss regional security issues such as maritime security, integrated air missile defense and logistics. This was CENTCOM's fourth such event in the last three years and the first held in the United States. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Dana Flamer)

March 21, 2019

Senior U.S., Arab leaders discuss regional coordination, cooperation

MacDill AFB, Fla. — Strengthening defense relationships, pursuing shared security concerns and creating tangible results were the themes of U.S. Army Gen. Joseph Votel's opening remarks at U.S. Central Command's Mar. 19 Gulf chiefs of defense conference.

On 13th March 2019, the French Carrier Strike Group, CTF473 arrived off-shore Syria to support Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve. The Carrier Strike Group is composed of the Aircraft carrier Charles-de-Gaulle, the Danish frigate Daniel Juel, and an attack submarine among other assets. The Charles-de-Gaulle launched Rafale Marine and Hawkeye aircraft to support coalition troops on the ground and gather intelligence while other air assets and vessels were conducting air and maritime control operations. The arrival of the CSG reinforces French military capabilities involved in Operation CHAMMAL and strengthens the Coalition against ISIS. The French air carrier group is familiar with this theater of operations in the Levant since it has already conducted three previous Arromanches missions since January 2015, which is a significant commitment to the military campaign against ISIS. This capacity building illustrates the determination of France and the coalition to complete the military defeat of ISIS.

March 14, 2019

French Carrier Strike Group joins Operation Inherent Resolve

Mediterranean Sea — On 13th March 2019, the French Carrier Strike Group, CTF473 arrived off-shore Syria to support Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve.

U.S. Army Col. Martine Kidd, U.S. Central Command's (USCENTCOM) chief of plans, strategy and policy, sixth from left, U.S. Air Force Col. Arno Bischoff, U.S. Air Forces Central Command’s director of installations, fourth from left, and leaders from USCENTCOM and supporting combatant commands review a logistics map during USCENTCOM's inaugural Joint Strategic Support Board (JSSB) wargame, Mar 1, 2019. The JSSB is a scenario-driven exercise designed to anticipate and address strategic support issues that provide engineering proficiency and logistical support to military operations ahead of the commander’s decision cycle. (U.S. Central Command Public Affairs photo by Tom Gagnier)

March 8, 2019

USCENTCOM's CCJ4 unveils new JSSB for Logistics Enterprise

MacDill AFB, Fla. — Logisticians and engineers throughout the Department of Defense gathered at U.S. Central Command (USCENTCOM) headquarters to participate in the inaugural Joint Strategic Support Board (JSSB) wargame from Feb. 25 until Mar 1, 2019.

A U.S. Air Force B-1B Lancer, 9th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron, Air Force Central Command, takes off from Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar, during Joint Air Defense Exercise 19-01, Feb. 19, 2019. The aircraft participated with regional partners to test objective-based command and control actions during the exercise. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Gracie I. Lee)

Feb. 22, 2019

Joint Air Defense Exercise sharpens skills, strengthens partnerships

AL UDEID AIR BASE, Qatar -- Soldiers, Sailors, and Airmen of U.S. Central Command worked together with regional partners to conduct Joint Air Defense Exercise 19-01, a regularly scheduled three day-long training event focused on increasing the readiness of air defense assets in the CENTCOM area of responsibility. The AFCENT-led exercise included increased participation in the live-fly portion to include B-1B Lancers, F-15Es, and coalition partner aircraft.

Afghan Ambassador to the United States, Roya Rahmani, addresses attendees at the U.S. Central Command hosted, Central and South Asia (CASA) Directors of Military Intelligence Conference, Feb. 4, 2019. The annual conference brings together Directors of Military Intelligence from Central and South Asia and subject matter experts from America’s intelligence and academic community to discuss present and future threats facing the CASA region, and lay the ground work for increased regional intelligence cooperation. This year’s conference focused on conflict resolution in Afghanistan. (Photo by Tom Gagnier)

Feb. 11, 2019

CENTCOM conference offers regional solutions

Tampa, Fla. — The 2019 Central and South Asia (CASA) Directors of Military Intelligence (DMI) Conference, hosted by U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), brought together Directors of Military Intelligence from Central and South Asia and subject matter experts from America’s intelligence and academic community, Feb. 4–6.

Soldiers fire a howitzer.

Feb. 5, 2019

Centcom Commander Briefs Senators on Regional Challenges

WASHINGTON — No other region in the world is as dynamic, hopeful, challenging and dangerous as the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, the Centcom commander told the Senate Armed Forces Committee.

U.S. Navy Fire Controlman (Aegis) 2nd Class Wesley Helm, assigned to the guided-missile destroyer USS Chung-Hoon (DDG 93), watches a shipment of narcotics aboard a dhow that was discovered transporting 4,700 kilograms of hashish in the Gulf of Aden, Jan. 24, 2019. Chung-Hoon is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations in support of naval operations to ensure maritime stability and security. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Logan C. Kellums)

Jan. 29, 2019

USS Chung-Hoon Conducts Second Drug Bust in a Month

GULF OF ADEN -- While conducting maritime security operations in the international waters of the Gulf of Aden, the guided-missile destroyer USS Chung-Hoon (DDG 93) interdicted a shipment of illicit narcotics aboard a stateless vessel, Jan. 24. Chung-Hoon’s visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS) team seized 4,700 kilograms of hashish while conducting a flag verification boarding.

Maj. Gen. Mitchell L. Kilgo, U.S. Central Command’s Army element commander, left, and Command Sgt. Maj. Charles Ivey, U.S. Central Command’s Army element senior enlisted leader, right, stand with retired Sgt. 1st Class Mario Olivo during a ceremony at U.S. Central Command headquarters, Jan. 22, 2019. Olivo was awarded a Bronze Star medal for service with Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 52nd Infantry in the Republic of Vietnam from Jan. 1971 until Oct. 1971.

Jan. 25, 2019

Army for life: Retired Soldier receives Bronze Star for service in Vietnam

MacDill AFB, Fla. — Retired U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Mario Olivo was awarded a Bronze Star medal for combat service in Vietnam during a ceremony at U.S. Central Command headquarters, Jan. 22, 2019. He initially received notification of his award in the mail, yet felt that it would be fitting to be recognized for it in front of his family.

Tech. Sgt. Steven Jenkins, 379th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron (ELRS) fuels lab NCO in charge, dumps recoverable Jet Propellant 8 (JP-8) after completing a ‘bottle method’ as part of a fuel inspection Jan. 24, 2019, at Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar. As part of his job, Jenkins analyzes various fuel types including gasoline, diesel fuel and Jet Propellant 8, to ensure they are free of contaminants before use in aircraft and vehicles. Airmen from the 379th ELRS fuel lab retrieve samples for testing from various sources including pipelines, trucks and fuel tanks. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Christopher Hubenthal)

Jan. 25, 2019

Fuels lab keeps AUAB combat ready

AL UDEID AIR BASE, Qatar — Airmen from the 379th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron fuels lab work around the clock to help aircraft deliver decisive air power in the Air Forces Central Command area of responsibility. As the largest fuel operation in the Department of Defense, Airmen from the fuels lab must work together to inspect various types of fuel including gasoline, diesel fuel and Jet Propellant-8 to ensure products are free of contaminants.

Staff Sgt. David Bafaro, 380th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron military working dog handler, calls in the results of his search with MWD Simon during a joint training event Jan. 15, 2019 at Al Dhafra Air Base, United Arab Emirates.

Jan. 18, 2019

380th ESFS and ECES conduct joint training

AL DHAFRA AIR BASE, United Arab Emirates (AFNS) — The 380th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron military working dogs team conducted a small-scale training event with 380th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal and fire department Jan. 15 at Al Dhafra Air Base.