March 27, 2020

Six Tips for Protecting Your Teammates from COVID-19 Spread; ست نصائح لحماية زملائك في الفريق من انتشار فيروس كورونا-19 Şeş tiştên ji bo parastina xwe jı berfireh kirina Vîrûsa Korona-19

ARIFJAN, KUWAIT 03.27.2020 — For the SOJTF-OIR Coalition and our Iraq and Syria partners, the COVID-19 pandemic adds an additional obstacle to the overall mission of maintaining the enduring defeat of Daesh. Multiple confirmed cases of COVID-19 have appeared across countries in the Middle East as the virus continues to spread in communities across the globe.

March 26, 2020

Lithuania Joins the International Maritime Security Construct

MANAMA, Bahrain — The International Maritime Security Construct (IMSC) welcomes Lithuania’s participation in the multinational efforts aimed at enhancing maritime security throughout key waterways in the Middle East. Lithuania is the eighth member nation to join the IMSC since it formed in November 2019. Other members include Albania, Australia, Bahrain, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, and the United States.

March 25, 2020

Esper lists DOD's top priorities during COVID-19 pandemic

WASHINGTON — Protecting the Defense Department's people, maintaining military readiness and supporting the whole-of-government interagency response are DOD's top three priorities amid the coronavirus pandemic, Defense Secretary Dr. Mark T. Esper said.

March 24, 2020

USS Harry S. Truman Celebrates Women’s History Month

ARABIAN SEA — Sailors aboard the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) held a Women’s History Month observance in the ship’s hangar bay March 22. Truman’s Multi-Cultural Heritage Committee hosted the event, which was intended to honor women who have served in the Navy, past and present. Capt. Kavon Hakimzadeh, Truman’s commanding officer, spoke at the event about women serving in leadership roles and breaking barriers.

March 19, 2020

Ike, Truman Conduct Dual Carrier and Joint Air Wing Operations in the Arabian Sea

USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) and USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) began dual carrier strike group and joint air wing operations with a B-52 Bomber from U.S. Air Forces Central Command in the Arabian Sea March 18, 2020.

March 18, 2020

The Defeat of Daesh: One Year Later

KUWAIT — At the height of their power, the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, now referred to as Daesh, operated in 18 different countries and had an annual budget of $1 billion with an estimated 30,000 members. They conducted ground attacks on both government forces and any other force that opposed them. Their goal: to establish a so-called caliphate in the region. On August 7th, 2014, the U.S.-led coalition launched airstrikes against Daesh. On March 23rd, 2019, the Pentagon announced the physical defeat of the Daesh caliphate in Syria. Over 110,000 square miles were liberated. Approximately 7.7 million people were freed from Daesh oppression. In Baghuz, Syria, where the final battle took place, a yellow flag was flown atop a building by U.S.-backed Syrian forces as they celebrated their victory over Daesh.

March 15, 2020

US Navy surface forces and AC-130W gunships conduct joint operations in Arabian Gulf

U.S. Navy Cyclone-class patrol coastal ships (PC) and P-8A Poseidon aircraft assigned to U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT) conducted a first of its kind joint exercise with AC-130W Stinger II gunships assigned to Special Operations Command Central (SOCCENT), March 8 and 9.

March 12, 2020

Update on DOD COVID-19 measures

Today, the Secretary of Defense announced new travel restrictions for 60 days for service members, DoD civilians and families traveling to, from, or through Level 3 locations, as designated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). These restrictions are effective March 13. "The Department of Defense's top priority remains the protection and welfare of our people. While directing this prudent action, I continue to delegate all necessary authority to commanders to make further decisions based on their assessments to protect their people and ensure mission readiness. While we deal with this fluid and evolving situation, I remain confident in our ability to protect our service members, civilians and families," said Secretary of Defense Mark Esper.

March 11, 2020

Defense leaders detail how Middle East, Africa fit in U.S. strategy

WASHINGTON — Since the National Defense Strategy was published in 2018, Defense Department officials who testify before Congress have stressed proposals based on that strategy.

March 11, 2020

AFCENT hosts innovation summit

AL UDEID AIR BASE, QATAR — U.S. Air Forces Central Command hosted its fourth annual innovation summit, March 3-5, 2020, bringing together military and academic minds to discuss AFCENT’s innovation goal of increasing effectiveness and lethality via timeliness and data-driven decision making.