June 18, 2021

U.S. Naval Forces Rescue Mariners from Stranded Ship in Gulf of Aden

A U.S. Naval ship assigned to U.S. 5th Fleet provided emergency assistance to a motor vessel in distress in the international waters of the Gulf of Aden, June 16. The Military Sealift Command fleet replenishment oiler USNS Patuxent (T-AO 201) identified a vessel flying the international distress flag and proceeded toward them to render assistance.

June 17, 2021

111th TEB strengthens partnerships with Jordanian Armed Forces

Dating back to 1949, when the United States established diplomatic relations with Jordan, the U.S. – Jordan partnership has been strongly valued by both nations. This is largely in part to the sharing of many strategic goals and security ideals. In an effort of continuing to maintain and strengthen this partnership with the JAF, troops and units deployed in support of CENTCOM’s Operation Spartan Shield routinely work with the JAF in both training and security strengthening capacities. This is no different for the 111th Theater Engineer Brigade (TEB), currently deployed to the CENTCOM Area of Operations.

June 14, 2021

From Eye Level to Sky Level

SAUDI ARABIA — “Swift, Silent, Deadly." While the mantra is typically used to describe a Reconnaissance Marine, the idea behind it is one that should be studied and emulated by all Marines. The idea that one should be in and out and undetected, all while maintaining lethality is a perfect description of an Operational Marine operating within the battlespace. In order to achieve this, however, Marines must need to be prepared to maneuver at a moment’s notice.

June 9, 2021

U.S. Forces Conduct Joint Aviation Integration Exercise with UAE and Saudi Arabia

MANAMA, BAHRAIN — U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT) and U.S. Air Forces Central (AFCENT) conducted multiple simultaneous, joint air operations in support of maritime surface warfare (AOMSW) exercises with United Arab Emirates (UAE) Coast Guard and Joint Aviation Command (JAC), and Royal Saudi Naval Forces (RSNF) in the Arabian Gulf, June 1-2. The multi-positional exercises demonstrated NAVCENT’s ability to conduct separate joint air and surface operations with partners in different locations, simultaneously.

June 9, 2021

U.S. Naval Forces Rescue Mariners from Sinking Ship in Gulf of Aden

GULF OF ADEN – A U.S. Naval ship assigned to U.S. 5th Fleet provided emergency assistance to a motor vessel in distress in the Gulf of Aden, June 7. The Military Sealift Command fleet replenishment oiler USNS Patuxent (T-AO 201) was notified by the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations watch center that motor vessel Falcon Line had experienced engine failure and was taking on water.

June 9, 2021

Teamwork makes the dreamwork

UDAIRI RANGE COMPLEX, Kuwait — Live-fire close air support training was conducted with members assigned to the U.S. Air Force 82nd Expeditionary Air Support Operations Squadron; Army 1st Battalion, 194th Armor Regiment; Navy UNIT; Marine Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force with the 2nd Battalion, 1st Marines; and Italian Task Force Typhoon at Udairi Range Complex, Kuwait, May, 26.

June 2, 2021

Total Force Integration proved at Prince Sultan Air Base

PRINCE SULTAN AIR BASE, SAUDI ARABIA — Rooted in a sea of sand, the U.S. Air Forces Central (AFCENT) mission is, in-part, seamlessly accomplished by both active duty and the Air National Guard—proving the concept of Total Force Integration (TFI). TFI is nothing new. Once called “Future Total Force,” TFI became the standard about 15 years ago—fully integrating the Air Force’s active duty, guard and reserve components in exercises and contingency operations around the world.

June 1, 2021

Lebanese Armed Forces, U.S. Naval Forces Complete Resolute Union 21

BEIRUT — The Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) and U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT) participated in exercise Resolute Union (RU) 21, a bilateral explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) and maritime security operations exercise in Lebanon and the Mediterranean Sea, May 17-28.

May 28, 2021

PATFORSWA receives 2 new Sentinel-class U.S. Coast Guard fast response cutters

MANAMA, BAHRAIN — U.S. Coast Guard Sentinel-class fast response cutters USCGC Charles Moulthrope (WPC 1141) and Robert Goldman (WPC 1142) arrived at their new homeport onboard Naval Support Activity Bahrain, May 25. The FRCs are two of six planned to be attached to Patrol Forces Southwest Asia, forward-deployed to Bahrain with Commander, Task Force 55. They will replace the existing Coast Guard Island-class patrol boats USCGC Aquidneck (WPB 1309) and USCGC Adak (WPB 1333).

May 28, 2021

MASCAL: Unity is strength

ALI AL SALEM AIR BASE, Kuwait — Dilapidated ruins in what felt like the middle of nowhere, surrounded by sand, made for the perfect atmosphere for a mass casualty exercise. With heat well over 100 degrees Fahrenheit and the sun beating down their faces, people slowly filled the scene drenched in sweat and fake blood – passersby would have taken one look and assumed a zombie apocalypse was about to take place. Exercise. Exercise. Exercise. The emergency call was made, and the simulated victims came to life – screaming for help, crying in pain and waiting for first responders to arrive. The 386th Air Expeditionary Wing alongside its coalition partners participated in a mass casualty exercise here, May 19. For this iteration, the wing had volunteers to act as simulated casualties with injuries from a staged bombed observation post.