July 28, 2022

PSAB the birthplace of innovation in the AOR

Back in 1985 during an operation at Spangdahlem Air Force Base called Salty Demo, a UXO removal method called a “chain drag” was created. The basic concept is stakes are driven into the ground off the runway then a chain is hooked to the winch line of a Humvee or armored vehicle and wrapped around the stakes so that when the winch line is recalled, or the vehicle moves, the chain sweeps the UXOs off the airfield as the chain goes taut. It’s a tried and true method, but it’s dependent on the availability of an armored vehicle to protect the EOD team, a commodity not always available in the temporary austere mission locations EOD specialists are sometimes deployed to with great airpower but limited mission support equipment. To augment the oversight, Miller developed and blueprinted a custom timer winch, stake and chain set. In theory, it’ll be the “chain drag” method and a new “hook and line” method Miller developed packed into one or two pelican cases for easy movement.

July 25, 2022

New Coast Guard Cutters Visit Lebanon for 1st Middle East Stop

MANAMA, BAHRAIN — MANAMA, Bahrain – Two U.S. Coast Guard fast response cutters arrived in Beirut, Lebanon for a scheduled port visit July 25, marking their arrival to the Middle East after departing the United States and transiting the Mediterranean Sea.

July 22, 2022

U.S. Central Command Military Leaders visit Bahrain

MANAMA, Bahrain — Leaders from U.S. Central Command’s Army, Air Force, Marine Corps and Special Operations components visited U.S. 5th Fleet headquarters in Manama, Bahrain, July 22.

July 21, 2022

The 494th FS spearheads a new deployment model

SOUDA AIR BASE, Greece — U.S. F-15E Strike Eagles assigned to the 494th Fighter Squadron, stationed out of Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, conducted an Agile Combat Employment movement to an undisclosed location, within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, July 15, 2022.

July 21, 2022

New AFCENT commander focused on fostering ‘Team of Teams’ in Middle East

AL UDEID AIR BASE, Qatar — U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Alexus G. Grynkewich became the commander of Ninth Air Force (Air Forces Central), succeeding U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Gregory Guillot, during a change of command ceremony at Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar, July 21, 2022.

July 21, 2022

Task Force 150 Holds Change of Command

MANAMA, Bahrain — Pakistan turned over command of a multinational naval task force in the Middle East to Saudi Arabia during a morning ceremony at the U.S. Navy base in Manama, Bahrain, July 21. Royal Saudi Navy Commodore Abdullah Al-Mutairi assumed command of Combined Task Force (CTF) 150 from Pakistan Navy Commodore Vaqar Muhammad. Established in 2002, CTF 150 is one of four task forces under Combined Maritime Forces, the largest international naval partnership in the world.

July 21, 2022

U.S. Navy Ships Assist Stranded Mariners in Gulf of Aden

MANAMA, Bahrain — Two U.S. Navy ships provided emergency assistance to a stranded motor vessel in the Gulf of Aden, July 18-21.

July 18, 2022

USAFE F-15Es arrive in AFCENT for cross-combatant command ACE training

SOUTHWEST ASIA — Two U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles, originating out of Souda Bay, Greece, arrived in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility through an effort to exercise cross-combatant command Agile Combat Employment operations July 15, 2022.

July 14, 2022

DOD to Fund Better Detention Facilities in Syria, But Best Solution is Detainee Repatriation 

The Defense Department is working on three lines of effort to help support the humane and secure detention of ISIS fighters in custody, while assisting with repatriation efforts.

July 7, 2022

U.S. Navy Supports UK Seizure of Iranian Missiles

U.S. Navy Supports UK Seizure of Iranian Missiles — A U.S. Navy guided-missile destroyer supported maritime operations conducted by naval forces from the United Kingdom that resulted in the seizure of advanced weapons components during an interdiction in the Gulf of Oman.