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F-16 Fighting Falcons aerial refueling
Two U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft fly alongside a KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft over the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Dec. 30, 2025. The F-16 played a key role in executing airpower missions, deterring aggression, and participating in broader security across the CENTCOM AOR. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Nicholas Monteleone)
Task Force Nighthawk Supports CENTCOM Operations with AH-64 Apaches
U.S. Army flight crewmembers assigned to Task Force Nighthawk, 6-17 Air Cavalry Squadron, 4th Combat Aviation Brigade, conduct flight checks on an AH-64 Apache attack helicopter prior to take-off in the U.S. Central Command Area of Responsibility on Nov. 5, 2025. Apache attack helicopters are primarily used for precision strikes, close air support, and air reconnaissance. (U.S. Army Photo by Capt. Bernard Jenkins Jr.)
75th EFGS Launches A-10 Thunderbolt II Aircraft
U.S. Air Force Capt. Josiah Bierle, 75th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron pilot, awaits takeoff in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Dec. 30, 2025. Stationing A-10s in the CENTCOM AOR reinforces U.S. commitment to regional stability and strengthens deterrence against potential threats. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jonah Bliss)
Airmen prepare cargo for transport in support of AFCENT exercise
U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Jansy Pedrosa-Cruz, 16th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron load master, ­­­­­­­directs the loading of a Humvee onto a C-17 Globemaster III aircraft during a mission in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Dec. 20, 2025. Loadmasters assigned to the 16th EAS are responsible for supervising the loading, securing and unloading of cargo, vehicles and personnel. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Travis Knauss)
74th EARS conducts an air refueling mission within CENTCOM AOR
U.S. Air Force A-10C Thunderbolt II aircraft dispense flares over an undisclosed location within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Jan. 5, 2026. The A-10 conducts operations across the AOR to provide close air support and combat airpower as necessary. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Travis Knauss)
Aerial Refueling F-15 Strike Eagles
A U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle aircraft assigned to the 391st Expeditionary Fighter Squadron refuels from a KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft over the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Oct. 11, 2025. The KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft played a key role in integrating Air Mobility Command and Air Combat Command capabilities, ensuring U.S. aircraft can execute airpower missions across the CENTCOM AOR. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Nicholas Monteleone)
U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft fly during a mission in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility
U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft fly during a mission in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Jan. 7, 2026. The Fighting Falcon demonstrates U.S. commitment to regional security by providing responsive airpower and deterring potential threats within the USCENTCOM AOR. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Travis Knauss)
Blue Sands 26.1 fortifies integrated air defense and C-UAS capabilities across AFCENT
A U.S. Air Force 555th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft takes off during Blue Sands 26.1 within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Dec. 11, 2025. This routine, multinational exercise focuses on refining shared command and control and joint targeting procedures, ultimately enabling faster and more precise defensive responses to missile and unmanned aerial system threats. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman De’Quan Simmons)
U.S., Regional Partners Open New Air Defense Operations Cell in Qatar
U.S. Army Central (ARCENT) and the Saudi Arabian Armed Forces conducted the fourth iteration of the Red Sands Integrated Experimentation Center at the Shamal 2 Range near the King Khalid Military Center in northern Saudi Arabia Sept. 7-18, 2025. This exercise represented the culmination of rapid prototyping and integrated defensive tactics developed since the inaugural U.S.-Saudi experimental demonstration in 2023.
A-10 aircraft prepare to launch
U.S. CENTRAL COMMAND AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY (Jan. 10, 2026) U.S. Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II prepare to taxi at base in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility in support of Operation Hawkeye Strike, Jan. 10, 2026. (U.S. Air Force photo)

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Task Force Southwest Marines prep for Afghanistan deployment
A Marine with Task Force Southwest inserts a round into an M224 60mm mortar during a live-fire training event at Camp Lejeune, N.C., Jan. 18, 2016. Approximately 30 Marines with the unit practiced firing, cleaning and practicing immediate action techniques on the weapon as part of their preparation for an upcoming deployment to Helmand Province, Afghanistan. Task Force Southwest is comprised of about 300 Marines, whose role will be to train, advise and assist the Afghan National Army 215th Corps and the 505th Zone National Police as part of NATO’s Resolute Support mission. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Lucas Hopkins)
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