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New Commander Welcomed at Train, Advise and Assist Command-South
U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Jeffrey Smiley, incoming commander for Train, Advise and Assist Command-South, left, U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Andrew Poppas, deputy chief of staff for operations for Resolute Support and the deputy commanding general for operations for U.S. Forces Afghanistan, center, and U.S. Army Brig. Gen. John Lathrop, outgoing commander for TAAC-South, right, face the audience, June 30, 2018, during a Transfer of Authority ceremony in Kandahar, Afghanistan. Lathrop, assigned to the 40th Infantry Division, California National Guard, relinquished authority of TAAC-South to Smiley, assigned to the 40th Inf. Div. "Serving as the TAAC-South commander has been the most extraordinary experience of my career,” said Lathrop. "No commander can ask for more than what the team has given in bravery, compassion, and strength of character. I cannot think of a better leader to assume command than Brig. Gen. Smiley, whose experience in Afghanistan and passion to accomplish the mission will be vital to his team’s success.” The command is composed of U.S. Army Soldiers from 40th Infantry Division, California National Guard and 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division. The command’s mission is to train and advise Afghan security forces. Its U.S. forces also assist with counterterrorism operations in southern Afghanistan. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Neysa Canfield/TAAC-South Public Affairs)
RSLF Kick Off Force-on-Force Operations at NTC 26-02
Soldiers of the Royal Saudi Land Forces (RSLF), equipped with M1 Abrams main battle tanks and M2 Bradley Fighting Vehicles, conduct force-on-force operations for the first time at the National Training Center during Rotation 26-02 at Fort Irwin, Calif., Nov. 4, 2025. Partnering with U.S. Army Central, the RSLF, and 3rd Security Forces Assistance Brigade, will integrate with 2nd Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division to improve interoperability and operational effectiveness in a tough, realistic environment. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Devon Jones)
332nd ESFS Electronic Warfare division conducts night flights
U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Jordan Parsons, 332nd Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron small unmanned aircraft systems operator, prepares an RQ-20 Bravo B “PUMA” drone for flight in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility Oct. 31, 2025. Mid-shift SUAS operators monitor live aerial surveillance in low-light areas to bolster nighttime security. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Kari Degraffenreed)
16th EAS delivers cargo within CENTCOM
A U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III aircraft assigned to the 16th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron sits on the flight line before a cargo mission in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Oct. 25, 2025. The C-17 is capable of rapid strategic delivery of troops and all types of cargo in the CENTCOM AOR to maintain peace and stability across the region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Bailee A. Darbasie)
U.S.-Qatar Combined Command Post for air defense
AL UDEID AIR BASE, Qatar (Nov. 3, 2025) Adm. Brad Cooper, commander of U.S. Central Command, right, speaks with Chief of Staff of Qatar Armed Forces Lt. Gen. Jassim Al-Mannai during a ceremony at Al Udeid Air Base, Nov. 3. The event marked the opening of a new Combined Command Post for air defense staffed by personnel from Qatar and U.S. forces. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Chris Thornbury)
Bahrain, UK, U.S. Hold Annual Defence Working Group Meeting
MANAMA, Bahrain (Nov. 1, 2025) Adm. Brad Cooper, commander of U.S. Central Command, attends the Comprehensive Security Integration and Prosperity Agreement (C-SIPA) - Defence Working Group (DWG) annual meeting in Bahrain, Nov. 1, with representatives from the Kingdom of Bahrain, United Kingdom, and United States. (Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Iain Page)
Multinational Forces Conduct Simulated Raid and Emergency Response During Bright Star
B-roll video consists of multinational paratroopers conducting an airborne insertion followed by a simulated raid during BRIGHT STAR 25, Mohamed Naguib Military Base (MNMB), Egypt, Sept. 8, 2025. The scenario included a simulated terrorist attack with explosions, mortars, urban combat drills, rappelling operations, and a chemical-clearing exercise. Multinational forces worked alongside emergency responders provide humanitarian relief supplies, and extinguish fires as part of the training. BRIGHT STAR is a biennial, multinational exercise that strengthens regional security and military interoperability. (U.S. Army B-roll by Sgt. Samuel DeAngelo)
Amphibious Assault Demonstration Showcases Coalition Power at BRIGHT STAR 25
B-roll video features an amphibious assault demonstration led by the Egyptian military with participation from Italian forces during a training exercise, near Mohamed Naguib Military Base (MNMB), Egypt, Sept. 10, 2025. The exercise included coordinated maneuvers with paratroopers, Apache helicopters, armored vehicles, explosions, and convoy operations across multiple areas of attack. Amphibious landing ships lowered their ramps to deploy trucks and equipment directly onto the shoreline while tanks provided suppressive fire and attack helicopters supported counter-assault operations. The demonstration highlighted the scale and complexity of coalition capabilities during BRIGHT STAR 25. (U.S. Army video by Sgt. Samuel DeAngelo)
CENTCOM Urges Nations to Repatriate Displaced and Detained People from Syria
Delivering remarks at the United Nations headquarters last Friday, Adm. Brad Cooper, CENTCOM commander, urged nations with displaced and detained citizens in Syria to repatriate them, announcing the establishment of a Joint Repatriation Cell in northeast Syria to help coordinate their return.