June 23, 2020

Task Force Spartan Maintainers Keep the Task Force Moving

KUWAIT 06.23.2020 — Soldiers of the 42nd Infantry Division working in the motor pool play a critical role in keeping the division and Task Force Spartan Shield mission capable and is responsible for more than just working on equipment. “We have to order parts to keep all of Task Force Spartan operating,” said Sgt. Eric Monk. “Without us staying on top of things here, vehicles would go down and we wouldn’t be mission capable.

June 22, 2020

A bird’s eye-view of AUAB Ravens, FAST teams

QATAR — Aircraft from Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar, frequently deploy across the 20 nations that make up the U.S. Air Forces Central Command Area of Responsibility to deliver and receive cargo and provide combat and humanitarian support. It takes a team of personnel to see a mission through to the end, among those are Airmen whose duty is ensuring safety of the plane and all aboard once it has arrived at the destination.

June 22, 2020

Stronger Together: French Air Force combines with CAOC to enhance airpower

AL UDEID AIR BASE, Qatar — To conduct the synchronization of air assets across more than 4 million miles of U.S. Central Command’s area of responsibility, a dynamic force comprised of men and women scattered throughout multiple divisions and cells is needed. It is within the Combined Air Operations Center walls, here, where these sections transform into a harmonic and well-oiled machine that sees the output of kinetic and non-kinetic air warfare come together every day, every hour. To make this happen, it is not just the joint service members of the U.S. military. It takes a coalition team, currently comprised of 18 nations, that has come together with the common goal of promoting peace in the region, and when all else fails, coordinating and delivering war-winning airpower. Part of this coalition team is a detachment of the French Air Force that consists of approximately 25 members who are integrated throughout the CAOC’s different sections, assisting in the coordination and deliverance of coalition airpower in support of Combined Joint Task Force - Operation Inherent Resolve.

June 17, 2020

VP-16 War Eagles Deploys to U.S. 5th Fleet

U.S. 5TH FLEET AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY — The “War Eagles” of Patrol Squadron (VP) 16 recently deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations to relieve the “Red Lancers” of VP-10. The War Eagles assumed duties from the Red Lancers as Commander Task Group 57.2 June 9. “I’m extremely proud of the men and women of the War Eagles,” said Cmdr. Kevin Kraemer, VP-16’s commanding officer. “We are excited and ready to support maritime security operations, vital to the freedom of navigation and free flow of commerce throughout this region's waterways.” Maritime Patrol Aircraft and aircrews perform long-range sea surveillance, anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, and search and rescue.

June 17, 2020

NSA Bahrain Cuts Ribbon on new USACE Built Medical Facility

BAHRAIN 06.17.2020 — The Naval Medical Readiness and Training Unit (NMRTU) Bahrain held a ribbon cutting ceremony marking the successful completion of a multi-faceted medical clinic on June 16. The ceremony was led by Navy Capt. Greg Smith, the commander of the Naval Support Activity (NSA) Bahrain.

June 16, 2020

Washington Army National Guard completes Jordan rotation, transfers mission to the Illinois Guard

JOINT TRAINING CENTER, JORDAN — The 1st Squadron, 303rd Cavalry Regiment (1-303 CAV), Washington Army National Guard, completed their partnership mission with the Jordan Armed Forces (JAF) this Thursday. In a transfer of authority ceremony, the 1-303 CAV turned over the Jordan Operational Engagement Program (JOEP) to the 2nd Battalion, 130th Infantry Regiment (2-130 IN), Illinois Army National Guard.

June 16, 2020

Task Force Dragon Mission Roars to a Finish

SOUTHWEST ASIA — “Task Force Dragon,” the Royal Danish Army contingent with Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve, concluded its Iraqi Border Guard training mission in Iraq, June 11, 2020 at Al Asad Air Base. Since 2014, Task Force Dragon, of CJTF-OIR Task Force Iraq, has led the international Coalition’s effort to train more than 19,500 members of the Iraqi Border Guard Forces. This week, TF Dragon passed the torch to their Iraqi counterparts, who will continue to train their own forces to ensure the enduring defeat of Daesh.

June 11, 2020

Iran Poses Greatest Threat to Region, Centcom Commander Says

Iran poses the greatest threat to regional security and stability, the commander of U.S. Central Command said. Marine Corps Gen. Kenneth F. McKenzie Jr. spoke today at a Middle East Institute webinar titled, "Centcom and the Shifting Sands of the Middle East."

June 9, 2020

Female Airmen team up for Historic Launch

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES — Historically, Air Force fighter pilots and maintainers were male, but the future looks a lot different as more and more females join the ranks of these career fields and make history while they do it. Recently, Capt. Emily Thompson, an F-35A Lightning II pilot, made history as she flew in combat, making her the first female to do so in that airframe.

June 9, 2020

Agile Combat Employment exercise tests AFCENT’s power projection capability

UNDISCLOSED LOCATION, U.S. Central Command area of responsibility — For approximately three weeks, more than 230 Airmen assigned to U.S. Air Forces Central Command conducted an Agile Combat Employment exercise to test the command’s ability to project airpower from an austere location within U.S. Central Command’s 20-nation area of responsibility. The AFCENT Air Warfare Center led the ACE, along with personnel from AFCENT staff directorates, and conducted exercises to build military-to-military relationships, tactical capabilities, and interoperability through air operations to promote readiness and stability in the region.