July 10, 2019

Air National Guard supports airlift operations at Ali Al Salem

ALI AL SALEM AIR BASE, Kuwait — When C-130 aircraft from the Montana Air National Guard and Connecticut ANG touched down on the flight line to replace Guard units from Rhode Island and California, the aircrews and maintenance teams seamlessly transitioned to continue ongoing flight operations.

July 9, 2019

Strong Support Beams Help Form Strong Partnerships

AMMAN, Jordan — U.S. Army Soldiers of the 1106th Aviation Group participated in a U.S. Army Central (ARCENT) aviation subject matter expert exchange with the Royal Jordanian Air Force at the King Abdullah II Air Base in Amman, Jordan, in June 2019.

June 27, 2019

Marine Corps at the forefront for ground-based lasers

MARINE CORPS BASE QUANTICO, Va. — A drone-killing, directed energy weapon prototype is now in the hands of Marines. The Compact Laser Weapons System—or CLaWS—is the first ground-based laser approved by the Department of Defense for use by warfighters on the ground. “This was all in response to a need for counter unmanned aerial systems to take down drones,” said Don Kelley, program manager for Ground Based Air Defense at Program Executive Officer Land Systems. “We developed a CLaWS prototype for Marines to use and evaluate.”

June 27, 2019

Eight days in, Steppe Eagle 19 participants showing progress, interoperability

CHILIKEMER TRAINING AREA, Kazakhstan — At the combined battalion headquarters for Exercise Steppe Eagle 19, a multinational staff of American, Kazakhstani, Tajikistani, Kyrgyzstani, and British soldiers sit side-by-side manning the intelligence, operations, logistics, and communication sections. Analog maps, updated tracking spreadsheets, and radios line the walls as hourly reports are received by each company command post.

June 24, 2019

USS Boxer ARG, 11th MEU Arrive in U.S. 5th Fleet

The Boxer Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) arrived in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations, June 23, relieving the Kearsarge ARG and 22nd MEU. The Boxer ARG/11th MEU departed from their home port, San Diego, May 1 and completed a successful transit through the U.S. 3rd Fleet and U.S. 7th Fleets areas of operations since their departure.

June 20, 2019

Steppe Eagle 19 opening ceremony demonstrates strength of relationships, militaries

ILLISKY TRAINING AREA, Kazakhstan — As a Kazakhstani brass marching band played the national anthems of each nation in attendance, Soldiers representing six nations kicked off exercise Steppe Eagle 19 during an opening ceremony, June 17, to highlight the exercise's role in promoting stability in the Central and South Asia region. The U.S. Army Central-led exercise, which lasts 12-days, improves mutual understanding and interoperability among all participating nations, and helps promote regional stability in this vital area of the world. The annual, multilateral exercise also highlights the steady improvements by the Kazakhstani Ground Forces as a recognized member of the international security community.

June 19, 2019

U.S. Forces and Bahrain Defense Force Completed Neon Response 19

MANAMA, Bahrain — U.S. forces and members of the Bahrain Defense Force (BDF) participated in exercise Neon Response 19 in Bahrain from 9-14 June 2019.

June 13, 2019

Bainbridge Answers Distress Call

GULF OF OMAN — GULF OF OMAN (June 13, 2019) - The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Bainbridge (DDG 96) responded to a distress call from the M/V Kokuka Courageous in the Gulf of Oman the morning of June 13.

June 4, 2019

3rd ABCT Hosts Expert Infantryman Badge Testing in Kuwait

CAMP BUEHRING, Kuwait — While on rotation in support of Operation Spartan Shield, the 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division hosted Expert Infantryman Badge (EIB) testing, inviting infantry Soldiers deployed across the U.S. Central Command area of operations to train and compete for their badge.

June 2, 2019

Bomber Task Force Participates in Joint Exercise with Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group

ARABIAN SEA — A U.S. Air Force B-52H Stratofortress, assigned to the 20th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron and part of the U.S. Central Command Bomber Task Force, and the Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 7, attached to the Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group conducted joint operations in the CENTCOM area of responsibility, June 1.