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.

Aug. 19, 2020

NAVCENT, Fifth Fleet, CMF welcome new commander

MANAMA, Bahrain — Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT), U.S. 5th Fleet and Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) held a hybrid change of command ceremony at Naval Support Activity Bahrain Aug. 19. Due to the global health pandemic, the ceremony involved virtual and in person participation to mitigate against COVID-19.

Aug. 18, 2020

Hill Airmen demonstrate combat flexibility, reliability of F-35 during deployments

HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah – For 16 months, Airmen from the 388th Fighter Wing here have been deployed in combat with the F-35A Lightning II and they continue to find ways to improve the capability of America’s most advanced fifth-generation fighter.Each of the wing’s three squadrons, alongside Reservists from the 419th Fighter Wing, have deployed

Aug. 17, 2020

UAE, U.S. forces conduct aviation Live Fire Exercise in Arabian Gulf

ARABIAN GULF — The United Arab Emirates Joint Aviation Command (JAC), U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT), U.S. Air Forces Central Command (AFCENT) and U.S. Special Operations Central Command (SOCCENT) conducted an air operations in support of maritime surface warfare (AOMSW) exercise in the Arabian Gulf, Aug. 9-12. The exercise included Joint Terminal Attack Controllers (JTACs) directing live fires at simulated targets from an AC-130W gunship attached to SOCCENT and rotary and fixed wing aircraft attached to the JAC. It gave Emirati and U.S. pilots a chance to hone strike capabilities together against surface targets such as maritime infrastructure and fast attack craft.