April 30, 2019

U.S. Air Force F-35As conduct first combat mission

SOUTHWEST ASIA — Two U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II aircraft conducted an air strike at Wadi Ashai, Iraq, in support of Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve on April 30.

April 25, 2019

Heavy Equipment Transporter System Subject Matter Exchange II

IZKI, OMAN — Familiar faces and familiarization training is how day one of the Heavy Equipment Transport System (HETS) subject matter exchange began, with U.S. Army Soldiers introducing themselves to members of the Royal Army of Oman (RAO). Some Omani Soldiers needed no introduction from the instructors, as they attended the initial training given in January.

April 16, 2019

Afghans Take the Controls

LAGHMAN PROVINCE, AFGHANISTAN — During the conflicts in Afghanistan between the Afghan National Defense Security Forces, the Taliban, and ISIS-Khurasan, the ability to conduct battle from the air is a capability that decisively changes the situation on the ground for those who have it. In the dynamic security environment of Afghanistan, the Afghan government requires a strong security force that can prevent the enemies of Afghanistan from seizing ground and threatening stability in the country.

April 16, 2019

Military Working Dogs Train for CBRN Exposure in Kuwait

KUWAIT — Members of the 637th Chemical Company, the 719th Medical Detachment Veterinary Service Support, and the 386th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron came together to conduct a live exercise to train to save the lives of military working dogs and their handlers in the event they were exposed to a chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) substance.

April 15, 2019

Hill Airmen depart for F-35A’s first Middle East deployments

Airmen from the active-duty 388th Fighter Wing and Reserve 419th Fighter Wing here deployed to Al Dhafra Air Base, United Arab Emirates, to support the United States Air Force Central Command mission in the Middle East. The aircraft arrived in country April 15.

April 15, 2019

U.S. Air Force’s F-35A Lightning II arrives for first Middle East deployment

AL DHAFRA AIR BASE, United Arab Emirates — The U.S. Air Force’s fifth generation multi-role aircraft arrived for its first deployment to the Middle East on April 15, 2019. The F-35A Lightning IIs are from active duty 388th and reserve 419th Fighter Wings at Hill Air Force Base, Utah.As the first deployment to the U.S. Air Forces Central Command area of responsibility, crews are prepared and

April 12, 2019

CJTF-OIR continues ISF training through multi-national efforts

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Following the elimination of Daesh’s self-proclaimed territorial caliphate on March 23, 2019, in the Middle Euphrates River Valley, the Coalition’s emphasis on supporting the Iraqi Security Forces increased through military professional development training needed to defeat Daesh networks in Iraq. Currently, the Coalition is training ISF soldiers at five main locations in Iraq; Al Asad, which training efforts are led by Denmark, Besmaya which is led by Spain, Dublin and the Kurdistan Training Coordination Center which is led by Italy, and Taji which is led by Australia. Since January 2015, the Coalition has trained approximately 190,272 members of the ISF.

April 8, 2019

USCENTCOM’s medical exchange supports global readiness

Tampa, Fla. — “Injury Prevention to Rehabilitation, Enhancing Military Medical Capabilities” was the theme during USCENTCOM’s biennial Medical Security Cooperation Exchange, April 2 - 5.

April 8, 2019

A reinforced "NAVY" crew at CAOC Al Udeid

The French detachment at the Combined Air Operations Center (CAOC) in Al Udeid Airforce Base, Qatar, has been recently reinforced by a significant French Navy backups supporting Operation Inherent Resolve. Some of these sailors occupy positions with joint competency that can be occupied indifferently by sailors, airmen or soldiers like the targeting officer, the Joint Interface Control Officer (JICO) in charge of tactical data links, the Tactical Director onboard a French E-3F AWACS, the detachment’s treasurer and the secretary. In addition to them, several naval aviators have been deployed specifically for the integration of naval aircraft into OIR. Within the cradle of the planning and conduct of air operations in the Levant, the latter are particularly in charge of the aircraft of the Charles de Gaulle’s Strike Group currently deployed in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Atlantique 2, already deployed in the Joint Operation Area (JOA) for several months.

April 5, 2019

OPERATION CHAMMAL: Task Force Monsabert trains Iraqi medics

BAGHDAD — Millions of people are currently gathered in Baghdad for the Shiite pilgrimage of Al Kadhimiya, one of the most important in the region. This event is a real challenge for the 6th Iraqi Army Division in charge of security in the capital. It also represents a challenge for military medical auxiliaries. For Oscar, Chief Medical Officer of Task Force Monsabert, this event is an opportunity to train military Iraqi health personnel for deployment in the field. With his French medical team, Oscar organized a specific training program that took place from March 17 to 19.