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Archive: February, 2021

U.S. Army Soldiers, 1st Battalion, 6th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armor Division, steers a M1 Abrams tank toward a simulated breaching of an enemy position during a situational training exercise, Jan. 31, 2021, at Iron Union 14 at Al Hamra Training Center in United Arab Emirates. Events like Iron Union grow military-to-military partnerships by allowing Soldiers from the U.S. Army and UAE Land Forces to learn the tactics, techniques, and procedures of a key partner and to increase their readiness and interoperability. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Daryl Bradford, Task Force Spartan Public Affairs)

Feb. 12, 2021

Task Force Spartan hosts first large-scale exercise since COVID-19, Iron Union 14

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates — Soldiers from the United States’ Task Force Spartan and the United Arab Emirates Land Forces gathered from Jan. 24 to Feb. 6, 2021, at Al Hamra Training Center in the United Arab Emirates for Iron Union 14, the first bi-lateral training exercise between the forces since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. This recurring exercise, designed to strengthen military-to-military relationships, allowed the forces to train how they might address regional security challenges. However, due to COVID-19, this year’s event came with its own challenges.

Spc. Michael Meza and Spc. John Cera, healthcare specialists with the 228th Combat Support Hospital, draw doses of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine from vials at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, Jan. 18, 2021. Camp Arifjan is utilizing a phased distribution of the vaccine, as specified by the Department of Defense, beginning with medical personnel and first responders.

Feb. 10, 2021

COVID-19 vaccine rollout ongoing in U.S. Army Central footprint

CAMP ARIFJAN, KUWAIT — The COVID-19 vaccination program in the U.S. Army Central’s area of operations is underway.

A soldier stands in a dry field and points at something in the distance; behind him, an old aircraft sits rusting in the desert.

Feb. 9, 2021

Great power competition adds to challenges in Middle East

Great power competition is adding a level of risk and uncertainty in an already risky and uncertain part of the world: the Middle East, the commander of U.S. Central Command said.

Amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island (LHD 8) transits the Strait of Hormuz, Feb. 8. The Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group and the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit are deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations in support of naval operations to ensure maritime stability and security in the Central Region, connecting the Mediterranean and Pacific through the western Indian Ocean and three strategic choke points. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Ethan Jaymes Morrow)

Feb. 9, 2021

Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group and Embarked 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit Enter Arabian Gulf

The amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island (LHD 8) along with the guided-missile cruiser USS Port Royal (CG 73) and dry cargo ship USNS Carl Brashear (T-AKE 7) transited the Strait of Hormuz, entering the Arabian Gulf Feb. 8.

U.S. Soldiers with Task Force Gambler and Italian soldiers with Airmobile Task Group Griffon respond to a downed aircraft scenario during an aerial reaction force exercise. The exercise ensured the coalition partners’ cohesiveness in responding to downed aircraft emergencies in hostile environments. (DoD photo by Lt. Col. Alessandro Campiello, Italian Army)

Feb. 4, 2021

U.S., Italian soldiers train to save lives and equipment

IRAQ — Elements of the U.S. and Italian armed forces, currently serving in support of Operation Inherent Resolve, recently trained together in a downed aircraft recovery exercise in northern Iraq. Soldiers with the U.S. Army’s Task Force Gambler and the Italian army’s Airmobile Task Group Griffon came together to respond to a simulated emergency where an Italian NH90 tactical transport helicopter went down in enemy territory.

210124-N-XG173-1526 ARABIAN GULF (Jan. 24, 2021) Royal Saudi Naval Force ships and U.S. Navy sail in formation during exercise Nautical Defender (ND) 21 in the Arabian Gulf, Jan. 24. ND 21 is the capstone in a series of multi-national maritime security exercises designed to broaden levels of cooperation, support long-term regional security, and enhance military-to-military interoperability between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, UK and the U.S. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Aja Bleu Jackson)

Feb. 4, 2021

Saudi, UK, U.S. Forces complete Exercise Nautical Defender 21

NAVAL SUPPORT ACTIVITY BAHRAIN (Jan. 29, 2021) – Forces assigned to the Royal Saudi Naval Forces (RSNF), UK Maritime Component Command (UKMCC) and U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT) conducted tri-lateral maritime exercise Nautical Defender 21 (ND 21) in the Arabian Gulf, Jan. 20-29.

Visit, board, search and seizure sailors assigned to guided-missile cruiser USS Philippine Sea board a dhow suspected of carrying narcotics in the international waters of the North Arabian Sea, Jan. 31. (U.S. Navy photo)

Feb. 2, 2021

USS Philippine Sea interdicts over $2.8 Million of heroin in North Arabian Sea

NORTH ARABIAN SEA — The guided-missile cruiser USS Philippine Sea (CG 58), deployed to U.S. Fifth Fleet and operating in support of the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF), interdicted a shipment of more than 600 lbs. (275 kg) of suspected narcotics from a dhow in the international waters of the North Arabian Sea, Jan. 30. Seven bags of suspected narcotics were seized and tested, resulting in a seizure of approximately 600 lbs. (275 kg) of suspected heroin, worth $2.89 million wholesale. This seizure, conducted in direct support of CMF’s Combined Task Force (CTF) 150, marks the seventh CMF drug seizure since October 2020.

Humvees, M2 Bradley Fighting Vehicles and other vehicles are staged for transfer at the Port of Shuaiba for the upcoming Iron Union exercise Jan. 21, 2020 at the Port of Shuaiba, Kuwait. The equipment and rolling stock will go through the same process in the United Arab Emirates once the Iron Union 14 exercise has concluded. The 1185th DDSB will coordinate with adjacent units in the UAE to receive the stock back at the Port of Shuaiba. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Zoran Raduka, 1st TSC Public Affairs)

Feb. 2, 2021

1185th Sentinels stand ready to support Iron Union 14

SHUAIBA PORT, Kuwait — For the Army to support hundreds of missions across the globe, they rely on specialized distribution battalions such as the 1185th Deployment and Distribution Support Battalion (DDSB) located at the Port of Shuaiba, Kuwait. The 1185th DDSB’s role is simple: to receive equipment and provide the transportation means necessary to ship everything out of port through the Arabian Sea. Coordinating the logistics for each mission is not necessarily an easy task. The unit is responsible for overseeing contracts, monitoring all safety measures, and arranging the transportation for all rolling stock and equipment to their assigned locations.

U.S. Air Force personnel assigned to the 77th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron and 77th Fighter Generation Squadron trained with the U.S. Army and Royal Saud Air Force to execute a joint force and partner nation exercise called Desert Mirage II, Jan. 19-20, 2020. The event was a two-day live fly exercise aimed at developing bilateral defensive counter air and integrated air defense capabilities. The exercise also enhanced interoperability between the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Army and the RSAF. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Wes Wright)

Feb. 1, 2021

USAF, U.S. Army train with Royal Saudi Air Force during air defense exercise

PSAB, SAUDI ARABIA — U.S. Air Force personnel assigned to the 77th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron and 77th Fighter Generation Squadron trained with the U.S. Army and Royal Saudi Air Force to execute the joint force and partner nation exercise Desert Mirage II, Jan. 19-20, 2020.