Oct. 2, 2019

30th Armored Brigade Combat Team Sappers lead the way

FORT BLISS, Texas — Although their name originated centuries ago with the French translation for “trench digger,” today’s combat engineers, called Sappers, have specialized skills that far exceed the origins of their profession. U.S. combat engineers in Alpha and Bravo companies, 236th Brigade Engineer Battalion, 30th Armored Brigade Combat Team, North Carolina Army National Guard, conducted a live-fire exercise with M2 Bradley Fighting Vehicles (BFVs) and demolitions near Fort Bliss, Texas, Sept. 26.

Oct. 1, 2019

All systems go with U.S., Jordan aviation exchange

JORDAN — Soldiers with Task Force Spartan's aviation section met with their peers of the Jordan Armed Forces in August and September to exchange best practices, techniques and procedures. During the exchanges, the aviation specialists focused on capabilities, increasing interoperability between the two nations, aircrew training and mission planning.

Oct. 1, 2019

Command and control of AFCENT from Shaw, not CAOC

AL UDEID AIR BASE, Qatar — In a historic first, Airmen geographically separated from the Combined Air Operations Center at Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar executed all aspects of command and control of U.S. Air Forces Central Command’s air power from the United States.In a proof of concept exercise conducted Sept. 28, 2019, Active Duty, Reserve, and Guard personnel executed the

Sept. 25, 2019

US, Bahrain Participate in Neon Defender 19

MANAMA, Bahrain — U.S. and Bahrain armed forces participated in exercise Neon Defender 19 in Manama, Bahrain, Sept. 15-19. ND 19 is a bilateral surface and maritime security exercise between the U.S. Navy and Bahrain Defense Force (BDF) to enhance interoperability and warfighting readiness.

Sept. 24, 2019

Commander of Naval Surface Forces Visits Bahrain

NAVAL SUPPORT ACTIVITY BAHRAIN — Vice Adm. Richard Brown, commander, Naval Surface Forces (CNSF) visited Naval Support Activity Bahrain, Sept. 19. Brown toured coastal patrol ship USS Whirlwind (PC 11) and mine countermeasures ship USS Devastator (MCM 6), as well as held an all-hands call with surface warfare officers during his visit.

Sept. 24, 2019

U.S. Airmen, Sailors, Soldiers, team up for joint MEDEVAC exercise

ALI Al SALEM AIR BASE, Kuwait — Military working dog liaison officers with the 386th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron, Airmen with the 386th Expeditionary Medical Group and Soldiers from the 5th Battalion, 159th General Support Aviation Battalion, Camp Buehring, Kuwait, conducted joint medical evacuation and UH-60 Black Hawk acclimation training with over 15 U.S. Army, Navy and Air Force MWD teams in the Central Command area of responsibility at Ali Al Salem Air Base, Sept. 13, 2019.

Sept. 24, 2019

380 AEW first responders exercise readiness, interoperability

Emergency personnel from the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing executed a large, first responder exercise Sept. 24, 2019, at Al Dhafra Air Base, United Arab Emirates.

Sept. 17, 2019

International Maritime Security Construct Main Planning Conference concludes aboard HMS Cardigan Bay

ARABIAN GULF - Representatives from member states of the International Maritime Security Construct (IMSC), along with representatives from 25 additional countries, gathered on September 16 for a Main Planning Conference aboard HMS Cardigan Bay (K630).

Sept. 16, 2019

Historic Visit of the United States Navy’s USS Ramage

USS Ramage (DDG-61), an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, visited Beirut, Lebanon Sept. 14. The USS Ramage is named for Vice Admiral Lawson P. Ramage, a notable submarine commander and Medal of Honor recipient from World War II.

Sept. 12, 2019

Coalition live fire closes out Eager Lion 2019

JORDAN — A thunderous riot of artillery and small arms fire pockmarked the desert hills here as the culminating event of Eager Lion 2019, a coalition combined arms live fire exercise, came to a calamitous conclusion Sept. 5, 2019.