Jan. 30, 2020

Gen. McKenzie, commander of U.S. Central Command, visits USS Bataan

RED SEA, AT SEA — Gen. Kenneth F. McKenzie, Jr., commanding general of U.S. Central Command (USCENTCOM), told Sailors and Marines aboard USS Bataan (LHD 5) that “I feel better knowing that I have you in this theater.”

Jan. 24, 2020

Coalition partners navigate map fundamentals

JORDAN 01.24.2020 — Cartography, the science or practice of drawing and reading maps, can be dated back to the ancient ages of Before Christ (B.C.) within the Julian and Gregorian calendars. One of the oldest maps discovered is captured on a Babylonian clay tablet entitled Imago Mundi, estimated to have been originated around 2300 B.C. The ancient craft of reading maps has naturally evolved with human advancement, but its foundations have not been lost, it is still very relevant within military operations.

Jan. 23, 2020

Focus remains on enduring defeat of ISIS, military official says

WASHINGTON — Even amid significant successes, the enduring defeat of ISIS remains the focus of U.S. forces and partners in Iraq and Syria, an effort that is vital to U.S. national security, the deputy commander of Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve said.

Jan. 23, 2020

432nd WG/432nd AEW brings Reaper airpower into the new decade

CREECH AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. — In early 2009, a recently reactivated combat unit, now named the 432nd Wing/432nd Air Expeditionary Wing, achieved the mark of 500,000 hours of combat, for a relatively new form of airpower, known as Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA).

Jan. 17, 2020

Fort Wayne native serves in the Middle East supporting Task Force Spartan

SOUTHWEST ASIA — Indiana Army National Guard Master Sgt. Zachery Hackett, a 38th Infantry Division senior infantry sergeant from Fort Wayne, Indiana, supports Task Force Spartan as the future operations noncommissioned officer in charge.Hackett, one of more than 600 National Guard soldiers who departed the Hoosier State in May, helps support the U.S. Army Central

Jan. 14, 2020

Esper: Information Indicated 'Broad Scale' Attack Within 'Matter of Days'

Defense Secretary Dr. Mark T. Esper reiterated his belief on Sunday morning talk shows that elimination of Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani would prevent an attack that could lead to more dangerous, open conflict with Iran.

Jan. 8, 2020

Chairman: defensive measures prevented casualties in Iranian attack

WASHINGTON — Although Iranian missiles damaged equipment and infrastructure at U.S. and ally-occupied military installations in Iraq yesterday, training and defensive readiness paid off in no lives being lost, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said.

Jan. 7, 2020

Esper: U.S. continues to deploy, reposition troops in Middle East

WASHINGTON — The United States continues to deploy and reposition troops throughout the region of Iraq and Iran to bolster U.S. security and force protection and to be prepared for any contingency, Defense Secretary Dr. Mark T. Esper said.

Jan. 3, 2020

Senior DOD official describes rationale for attack on quds force commander

WASHINGTON — President Donald J. Trump last night directed, and the Defense Department subsequently launched, an airstrike that killed Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani, the head of the Quds Force, a senior DOD official said during a news teleconference.