July 16, 2023

New Multinational Task Force Conducts Maritime Training in the Seychelles

MANAMA, Bahrain — Combined Maritime Forces, the world’s largest multinational naval partnership, completed a two-week training mission in the Indian Ocean island nation of the Seychelles, July 14, to enhance operational readiness for 160 participants from five nations.

July 13, 2023

Beyond Borders: A Lebanese-American Marine’s Training in the Levant

AL-QUAWAYRAH, Jordan – U.S. Marine Corps reservist Pfc. Nadi Chams is a native of Jacksonville, Florida, and is currently serving as an assault amphibious vehicle crewman with 4th Assault Amphibian Battalion, 4th Marine Division. Born in Tampa, Florida, Chams moved to Beirut, Lebanon as a young child and for the next 16 years was immersed in his native Arabic culture and language. During his last year of high school, Chams moved back to Jacksonville. There he was contacted by a Marine Corps recruiter, who left a lasting impression on him. The professionalism and competency that his recruiter portrayed and personified the Corps’ values of honor, courage and commitment made choosing the Marine Corps an easy decision.

July 6, 2023

Russian unprofessional behavior over Syria - 6 July 2023

SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. — “Russian military aircraft engaged in unsafe and unprofessional behavior Thursday, 9:30 A.M. local time, while interacting with U.S. MQ-9 drones carrying out our D-ISIS mission in Syria. Russian aircraft dropped flares in front of the drones and flew dangerously close, endangering the safety of all aircraft involved. This is the second instance of dangerous behaviors by Russian pilots within the past 24 hours, with the first happening Wednesday at approximately 10:40 A.M. local time. In that instance, Russian jets launched parachute flares at the drones and traveled dangerously close to the drones, forcing U.S. pilots to perform evasive maneuvers. These events represent another example of unprofessional and unsafe actions by Russian air forces operating in Syria, which threaten the safety of both Coalition and Russian forces. We urge Russian forces in Syria to cease this reckless behavior and adhere to the standards of behavior expected of a professional air force so we can resume our focus on the enduring defeat of ISIS. The U.S. Air Forces Central remains committed to ensuring the safety and security of its personnel and assets and continues to work closely with partners and allies to address these incidents and prevent any escalation of tensions in the region. The safety of military personnel and the success of the mission against ISIS depend on the professional and responsible conduct of all forces operating in the region. Attributed to Lt Gen Alex Grynkewich, Commander, 9th AF (AFCENT) and Combined Forces Air Component Commander (CFACC) for CENTCOM.

July 6, 2023

Combined Task Force 151 Staff Visit Japanese Navy Ship

MANAMA, Bahrain — Multinational staff from a Combined Maritime Forces task force focused on deterring piracy visited a Japanese warship to meet the crew while the ship was pierside in Bahrain, July 2.

July 5, 2023

Russian unprofessional behavior over Syria - 5 July 2023

SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. — “Earlier today at approximately 10:40 A.M., Russian military aircraft engaged in unsafe and unprofessional behavior while interacting with U.S. aircraft in Syria. While three U.S. MQ-9 drones were conducting a mission against ISIS targets, three Russian fighter jets began harassing the drones. Against established norms and protocols, the Russian jets dropped multiple parachute flares in front of the drones, forcing our aircraft to conduct evasive maneuvers. Additionally, one Russian pilot positioned their aircraft in front of an MQ-9 and engaged afterburner, thereby reducing the operator’s ability to safely operate the aircraft. These events represent another example of unprofessional and unsafe actions by Russian air forces operating in Syria, which threaten the safety of both U.S. and Russian forces. We urge Russian forces in Syria to cease this reckless behavior and adhere to the standards of behavior expected of a professional air force so we can resume our focus on the enduring defeat of ISIS.” - Attributed to Lt Gen Alex Grynkewich, Commander, 9th AF (AFCENT) and Combined Forces Air Component Commander (CFACC) for CENTCOM

July 5, 2023

Exercise Intrepid Maven 23.4 to Commence in Jordan

CAMP AL-QUAWAYRAH, Jordan – Approximately 450 Marines and Sailors, alongside partnering infantry and artillery elements of the Jordanian Armed Forces, are participating in Exercise Intrepid Maven 23.4, set to occur at various locations within Jordan from July 3-13, 2023. Exercise Intrepid Maven is a U. S. Marine Corps Forces, Central Command-conceptualized and -implemented exercise series designed in late 2021, with the first iteration having occurred in Jordan in March 2022. The series, to include IM 23.4, is designed to strengthen partnerships, produce training opportunities, contribute to interoperability and improve conditions for regional security. “Exercise Intrepid Maven is a premier venue for Marines to deploy and train with our key Partners in the CENTCOM Area of Responsibility. This iteration features U.S. Marines and Sailors working with the Jordanian Armed Forces, training together with the collective goal of increasing readiness and deepening the relationship between our forces,” said Major General Paul J. Rock Jr., commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Central Command. “The CENTCOM AOR is a dynamic region with equally dynamic threats to regional security. This exercise is an opportunity to strengthen our ability to respond to these threats.” Episodic in nature, Intrepid Maven, which occurs with anywhere from one to any of a number of partner nations during each iteration, is a force deployment-tailored training series designed to demonstrate persistence in partnering; to prepare for the demands of a volatile and fluid AOR; to conduct unit-level training in new and challenging areas, spaces and facilities; and to demonstrate service ability to project forces to meet emergent requirements, all with the objective of gaining and maintaining unit readiness, deterring malicious adversary intent and demonstrating global responsiveness for crisis-response and contingencies. Intrepid Maven 23.4 is the eighth iteration of Exercise Intrepid Maven and will include training in fire and maneuver, communications, medical, individual and collective marksmanship and gunnery skills, and fire support coordination. Intrepid Maven 23.4 marks the second occurrence of the Intrepid Maven series between U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Central Command and the Jordanian Armed Forces. For more information about Intrepid Maven 23.4, visit https://www.dvidshub.net/feature/IntrepidMavenJordan. Photos, videos, and other media will be uploaded here daily for the duration of the exercise.

July 5, 2023

U.S. Prevents Iran from Seizing Two Merchant Tankers in Gulf of Oman

GULF OF OMAN — On July 5, U.S. forces prevented two attempted commercial tanker seizures by the Iranian Navy after the Iranians had opened fire in one of the incidents near the coast of Oman.

July 2, 2023

UK, U.S. Forces Complete Large-Scale Mine Countermeasures Exercise in Arabian Gulf

ARABIAN GULF — Forces from the United Kingdom Royal Navy, U.S. Navy and U.S. Air Force completed a weeklong large-scale mine countermeasures exercise in the Arabian Gulf, July 2.

June 29, 2023

Walking the Innovation Talk at the Rock

ALI AL SALEM AIR BASE, Kuwait — Senior Master Sgt. Christopher Holman, 386th Expeditionary Wing Civil Engineering Squadron operations superintendent (right) and Master Sgt. Trevor Wilkinson, 386th ECES facilities superintendent (left) wrapped up their six-month deployments by moving forward the timeline for increased night-time flying capabilities at Ali Al Salem Air Base, Kuwait. The two Airmen conducted in-depth research and data collection in order to demonstrate the viability of purchasing solar runway lights as a timely and inexpensive option. As the project moves forward, it also has the potential to increase the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing's Agile Combat Employment (ACE) Capabilities.

June 27, 2023

AFCENT hosts coalition partners prior to INDOPACOM large force exercise

SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. — The French military has dispatched a massive contingent of aircraft to the Indo-Pacific under the mission named ‘Pégase 2023’ to increase its regional presence and influence. The contingent participating in the mission will comprise 19 warplanes, consisting of 10 Dassault Rafale B and C multirole fighters, five A330 MRTT refueling aircraft, and four Airbus A400M transport planes. The 380th Air Expeditionary Wing at Al Dhafra Air Base, United Arab Emirates, hosted this contingent prior to their departure to the Indo-Pacific. They provided transportation, lodging and food services for those transient members of the French military. “The French were happy that we were able to provide accommodations for their transiting personnel and logistics support for the Rafale fighters. This stop was crucial, with minimum time on the ground in Al Dhafra in order to make their rapid deployment timeline to Guam,” said U.S. Air Force Col. Terence G. Taylor, 380th Air Expeditionary Wing commander. The objective of the latest deployment is to showcase France’s power projection capabilities and to highlight its status as a resident sovereign nation in the Indo-Pacific. Following their departure from Al Dhafra, the French will participate in U.S.-led, large-scale exercises in the Pacific, along with partners in the region from the islands of Guam and Palau. This concerted effort, undertaken in coordination with U.S. forces, underscores the strong partnership between the U.S. and France. “France is America’s oldest friend and Ally. Our relationship is built upon our shared commitment to the same values – democracy, human rights, the rule of law, security, and prosperity,” said U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Alexus Grynkewich, Ninth Air Force (Air Forces Central) commander and Combined Forces Air Component Commander for U.S. Central Command. “We’re proud to support this latest bilateral effort and to have the French serving alongside us and our other Coalition partners.” For more information, contact U.S. Air Forces Central Command Public Affairs at 011-974-4458-9555 and connect to 436-4102/1412 or email at afcent.pa@afcent.af.mil.