Dec. 30, 2021

U.S. Navy Ships Interdict Heroin Worth $4 Million with International Task Force

MANAMA, Bahrain — MANAMA, Bahrain - Two U.S. Navy ships seized 385 kilograms of heroin worth approximately $4 million from a stateless fishing vessel transiting the Arabian Sea, Dec. 27.

Dec. 27, 2021

Defenders protect ASAB from drones

ALI AL SALEM AIR BASE, Kuwait — The 386th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron works within the Wing Operations Center at Ali Al Salem Air Base, Kuwait, to monitor and detect the area around the base to protect service members from possible drone threats.

Dec. 23, 2021

AFCENT strengthens capabilities, demonstrates regional commitment through ACE capstone event

AL UDEID AIR BASE, Qatar — Ninth Air Force (U.S. Air Forces Central) and coalition partners conducted its most comprehensive joint and multinational Agile Combat Employment-focused operation to date at an expeditionary location and various established installations across U.S. Central Command’s area of responsibility, Dec. 17-22, 2021.The ACE capstone event leveraged Airmen

Dec. 22, 2021

U.S. Navy Seizes 1,400 Assault Rifles During Illicit Weapons Interdiction

MANAMA, Bahrain — U.S. 5th Fleet ships seized approximately 1,400 AK-47 assault rifles and 226,600 rounds of ammunition from a stateless fishing vessel during a flag verification boarding in accordance with customary international law in the North Arabian Sea, Dec. 20.

Dec. 21, 2021

Iraqi Air Force airlift capability supports defeat Daesh mission

ALI AL SALEM AIR BASE, KUWAIT — The Iraqi Air Force (IqAF) completed a strategic airlift mission from Kuwait to Iraq, carrying critical cargo for Iraq Ministry of Defense agencies Dec. 13, 2021. The airlift demonstrated Iraq’s capability to contribute to regional security and stability by working with multiple countries to get the mission done.

Dec. 20, 2021

RSAF, USAF conduct combined operations in KSA

KING FAHAD AIR BASE, SAUDI ARABIA — In the desert skies above Taif’s King Fahad Air Base, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Airmen from the 378th Air Expeditionary Wing integrated with Royal Saudi Air Forces to execute a combined training exercise. Conducting combined air-to-air training, the exercise allowed both nations to further cultivate strong relationships and better integrate capabilities to deter regional aggressors.

Dec. 16, 2021

U.S. Navy Rescues Mariners Smuggling Illicit Drugs

MANAMA, Bahrain — U.S. Navy personnel rescued five mariners Dec. 15 after a fire caused an explosion aboard their vessel, which was smuggling illicit drugs while transiting the Gulf of Oman.

Dec. 15, 2021

USS Portland Tests High Energy Laser Weapon System in Gulf of Aden

MANAMA, Bahrain — Amphibious transport dock ship USS Portland (LPD 27) conducted a high-energy laser weapon system demonstration, Dec. 14, while sailing in the Gulf of Aden.

Dec. 13, 2021

NAVCENT Launches Saildrone in Gulf of Aqaba for Exercise Digital Horizon

GULF OF AQABA — U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT) began operationally testing a new unmanned surface vessel (USV) in the Gulf of Aqaba, Dec. 12, as part of an initiative to integrate new unmanned systems and artificial intelligence into U.S. 5th Fleet operations.

Dec. 8, 2021

Space Force Guardians Serve at Al Dhafra

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES — Mixed in amongst the Air Force blue at Al Dhafra Air Base, a small handful of Space Force Guardians are supporting the mission of the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing, adding a little space power to the air power excellence of the Wing.