Sept. 4, 2020

NAVCENT Medical Personnel Embed with Bahrain Ministry of Health to Manage Pandemic Response

MANAMA, Bahrain — U.S. Navy medical personnel assigned to U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT) have partnered with the Kingdom of Bahrain’s Ministry of Health (MOH) since April 2020, in an effort to coordinate coronavirus (COVID-19) mitigation efforts and ensure full compliance with the partner nation’s public health guidelines. The two officers, Lt. Shannon Jackson and Lt. Dominic Chambers, serve as medical liaisons embedded with the MOH’s National Task Force for Combating the Coronavirus (COVID-19), operating alongside Bahraini medical personnel at the Crown Prince Center for Training and Simulation.

Sept. 3, 2020

AUAB, Qatar sign agreement on air space operations

AL UDEID AIR BASE, Qatar — An Air Traffic Control Letter of Agreement was signed by U.S. personnel, the Qatar Emiri Air Force (QEAF) and Qatar Civil Aviation Authority (QCAA) to better work together to ensure safe air space operations at Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar. “The document defines inter-facility procedures for Air Traffic Control (ATC) operations,” said U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Matt Robinson, 379th Expeditionary Operation Support Squadron commander. “It creates standard procedures that all controllers can train and execute, increasing predictability and enhancing safety.” Due to the AUAB flightline closely neighboring the Hamad International Airport, the airspace is shared between military operations and civilian operations making continuity and safety a critical necessity.

Sept. 3, 2020

AUAB Airmen make history as first deployed Space Force members

AL UDEID AIR BASE, QATAR — While a sunset would usually have signaled the end of just another day at Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar, for 20 military members the golden hour glow seemed to symbolize the promise of a new beginning. Enlisted and commissioned Airmen assigned to the 16th Expeditionary Space Control Flight and the 609th Air Operations Center joined the U.S. Space Force during enlistment and oath of office ceremonies at the Silent Sentry compound Sept. 1, 2020.

Aug. 31, 2020

Special Tactics unit surpasses 6,900 days combating war in Middle East

HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. — In the wake of the 9/11 terrorist attacks which marked the beginning of the Global War on Terrorism, U.S. service members saw an increased spike in deployments that has ultimately sustained its high tempo for nearly two decades. For the men and women of the 17th Special Tactics Squadron, since their initial response to the GWOT in October 2001, there have been no breaks in deployments and combat operations for over 6900 days in support of Operations IRAQI FREEDOM, ENDURING FREEDOM, FREEDOM’S SENTINEL and RESOLUTE SUPPORT.

Aug. 28, 2020

332nd, 379th AEWs work together to expand agile combat employment in AOR

AL UDEID AIR BASE, QATAR — In a joint effort to implement agile combat employment, F-15E Strike Eagle maintainers from the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing conducted hot-pit training and aircraft arresting system certification with deployed members from the 379th AEW, Aug. 23 and 28, 2020, at Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar.

Aug. 27, 2020

378 EMEDS improve COVID detection, response

PRINCE SULTAN AIR BASE, KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA — The 378th Expeditionary Medical Squadron recently installed new COVID-19 test equipment at Prince Sultan Air Base, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Aug. 26, 2020

Texas National Guard and Egyptian military begin long-term military partnership

TEXAS — On August 24, the U.S. State of Texas and the Arab Republic of Egypt took the first step in forming a long-term partnership under the U.S. National Guard’s State Partnership Program. At the historic Camp Mabry in Austin, Texas, Secretary of State for Texas Ruth R. Hughs; the Adjutant General of the State of Texas, Major General Tracy R. Norris; and Egypt’s Defense Attaché to the United States Major General Abdelraouf A. Moussa affirmed their intent to form a long-term partnership between the Texas National Guard and the Egyptian Military.

Aug. 26, 2020

The 42nd Infantry Division and 103 years of service

ARIFJAN, KUWAIT — The 42nd Infantry Division was formed in August 1917, and it is said it earned its nickname, "the Rainbow Division," after then Chief of Staff, Col. Douglas MacArthur remarked that the division's components stretched across America from coast to coast like a rainbow.

Aug. 20, 2020

Defense personnel among first to deliver aid to Lebanon

When almost 3,000 tons of ammonium nitrate exploded in Beirut, it caused a humanitarian catastrophe that killed more than 200 people and wounded tens of thousands. In less than two days, American airmen were on the ground in Lebanon, delivering critical supplies. The swift reaction undoubtedly saved lives, said Stephanie Hammond, acting deputy assistant secretary of defense for stability and humanitarian affairs. Stability and humanitarian affairs personnel began working on the situation as the smoke from the explosion in Beirut was dissipating.

Aug. 20, 2020

50 ARS arrives at AUAB replacing 349 EARS

AL UDEID AIR BASE, Qatar — The 50th Air Refueling Squadron from MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, along with several of their KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft, arrived at Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar, as part of a mass unit deployment, Aug. 18, 2020.