Oct. 31, 2019

Central Command Chief gives details on Baghdadi raid

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Marine Corps Gen. Kenneth F. McKenzie briefed Pentagon reporters today on the Oct. 26 raid in northwestern Syria that resulted in Baghdadi's death. Pentagon officials also released videos of the raid. McKenzie said planning for the raid began much earlier. He said Baghdadi was a priority target for Centcom, and as a result, was the subject of an intense effort to bring him to justice.

Oct. 29, 2019

Esper: Baghdadi death provides warning to terrorists

WASHINGTON D.C. — "The United States — more than any nation in the world — possesses the power and the will to hunt to the ends of the Earth those who wish to bring harm to the American people," Esper said at a Pentagon news conference today. "Saturday's operation is just one example of the determination and great skill of the U.S. military." Baghdadi detonated a suicide vest rather than be captured by the American special operations forces. The raid was the culmination of a multiyear interagency effort to find the terror leader and then capture or kill him.

Oct. 25, 2019

F-16s arrive at Bagram Airfield

BAGRAM AIR FIELD, AFGHANISTAN — U.S. Airmen and equipment assigned to the 79th Fighter Squadron, 20th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron and other supporting units out of Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., arrived at Bagram Airfield Oct. 25.

Oct. 21, 2019

IMX 19 commences in U.S. 5th Fleet Area of Operations

International Maritime Exercise 2019 (IMX 19), a multinational exercise featuring assets and personnel from more than 50 partner nations and seven international organizations, begins Oct. 21. IMX 19 demonstrates the international community’s resolve in maintaining regional security and stability, freedom of navigation and the free flow of commerce in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations. The exercise will span from the Suez Canal south to the Bab-al-Mandeb, through the Strait of Hormuz and into the Northern Arabian Gulf. The exercise consists of four phases: staff training, table-top and classroom exercises, fleet training exercise (FTX), and force redeployment.

Oct. 15, 2019

Jordan, U.S. celebrate training cycle completion

JORDAN — New Jersey National Guard Soldiers, with 1st Squadron, 102nd Calvary Regiment, 44th Infantry Brigade Combat Team of the 42nd Infantry Division, and Jordan Border Guard Force Soldiers, with the 7th Mechanized Battalion, 48th Mechanized Brigade, participated in a closing ceremony for the completion of their Jordan Operational Engagement Program (JOEP) training cycle at Joint Training Center-Jordan October 3, 2019.

Oct. 10, 2019

All-enlisted RPA crew operates out of ADAB

AL DHAFRA AIR BASE, United Arab Emirates — For the first time downrange, an all-enlisted crew launched and recovered an RQ-4 Global Hawk to perform operations out of Al Dhafra Air Base, United Arab Emirates, Sept. 13, 2019.

Oct. 10, 2019

380th ESFS brings proficiency firing to the AOR

AL DHAFRA AIR BASE, United Arab Emirates — The 380th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron has worked diligently this year to bolster their training program and bring increased lethality to Al Dhafra Air Base.

Oct. 3, 2019

NAVCENT Commander Meets with Commander of the Royal Saudi Naval Forces

RIYADH, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia — Vice Admiral Jim Malloy, Commander of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command, travelled to Riyadh to meet with Vice Admiral Fahad al Ghofaily, Commander of the Royal Saudi Naval Forces (RSNF), and U.S. Ambassador John Abizaid, Sept. 29, 2019.

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.