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GULF OF AQABA (Sept. 21, 2022) Two unmanned surface vessels, a Saildrone Explorer and Devil Ray T-38 operate in the Gulf of Aqaba, during exercise Digital Shield, Sept. 21. Digital Shield is a bilateral training exercise between U.S. Naval Forces Central Command and Israeli naval forces that focuses on enhancing maritime awareness using unmanned systems and artificial intelligence in support of vessel boarding operations.
U.S., Israel Complete Unmanned Naval Exercise in Gulf of Aqaba
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The CENTCOM Innovation Oasis II website is open and active! https://openhive.us/inn-oasis-II U.S. Central Command will host its second CENTCOM Innovation Oasis competition on May 25, 2023. The Innovation Oasis is a “Shark Tank”-like innovation competition that will highlight select U.S. Service Members and DoD / Service Civilian ideas, inventions, and processes to be presented for possible implementation. These new ideas help improve the quality of life, enable our forces, and improve the weaponry in the hands of our military. The CENTCOM commander, Gen. Michael “Erik” Kurilla has fostered the culture of innovation as a key priority. CENTCOM is challenging its people to develop new ways of looking at old problems and to reset the way we think across everything we do. For this episode of Innovation Oasis, all CENTCOM Component Commands will host an internal competition and nominate their top submission to compete in the main event of Innovation Oasis II in Tampa, FL. The Winning Innovator for Innovation Oasis Episode II will get: • A service award • 4-day pass, and • The opportunity to implement your great idea across the command Submission Deadline is April 25, 2023. Innovators submitting on behalf of Component Commands will submit in accordance with timelines published by their respective Commands. Questions can be submitted to centcom.macdill.centcom-hq.mbx.centcom-innovation-oasis@mail.mil
CENTCOM Innovation Oasis Episode II
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Infographic depicting information for International Maritime Exercise/Cutlass Express 2023 (IMX/CE 23).
International Maritime Exercise/Cutlass Express 2023 (IMX/CE 23)
U.S. Army Spc. Alex Martin and 1st Lt. Zac Thompson, assigned to Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 118th Infantry Regiment, 37th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Combined Joint Task Force - Operation Inherent Resolve, pause for accountability during a patrol, Syria, Feb. 3, 2023. The 118th Infantry Regiment is a part of the U.S. Army National Guard based in South Carolina. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Julio Hernandez)
Combined Joint Task Force - Operation Inherent Resolve troops conduct a joint patrol
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Juniper Oak 23-2 is a bilateral military exercise designed to enhance interoperability between the U.S. and Israel militaries. Forces from U.S. Central Command (USCENTCOM) components and the Israeli Defense Force (IDF) will participate. While this is the first iteration of Juniper Oak, it joins the long-standing “Juniper” series that the U.S. and Israel have conducted for more than 20-years. (Photo courtesy of the IDF Spokesperson's Office)
Juniper Oak 2023
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Juniper Oak 23-2 is a bilateral military exercise designed to enhance interoperability between the U.S. and Israel militaries. Forces from U.S. Central Command (USCENTCOM) components and the Israeli Defense Force (IDF) will participate. While this is the first iteration of Juniper Oak, it joins the long-standing “Juniper” series that the U.S. and Israel have conducted for more than 20-years. (Photo courtesy of the IDF Spokesperson's Office)
Juniper Oak 2023
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Juniper Oak is a large-scale bilateral multi-domain military exercise aimed to enhance interoperability between U.S. and Israeli armed forces contributing to integrated regional security. (Courtesy photo of the IDF Spokesperson’s Unit)
Juniper Oak 2023
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MEDITERRANEAN SEA (Jan. 24, 2023) The George H.W. Bush Carrier Strike Group sails in formation with the Israeli Navy during exercise Juniper Oak 2023-2, Jan. 24, 2023. Juniper Oak 23-2 is a bilateral military exercise, led by U.S. Central Command and the Israeli Defense Force, designed to enhance interoperability between the U.S. and Israel militaries. Juniper Oak 23-2 joins the long-standing “Juniper” series that the U.S. and Israel have conducted for more than 20-years. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Novalee Manzella)
Exercise Juniper Oak 2023-2
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ARABIAN GULF (Jan. 22, 2023) Naval Air Crewman (Helicopter) 2nd Class Cameron Wheeler, left, and Naval Air Crewman (Helicopter) 1st Class Aaron Stagg, both assigned to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 26, hoist a simulated casualty during exercise Neon Defender 23 in the Arabian Gulf, Jan. 22, 2023. Neon Defender is an annual bilateral training event between U.S. Naval Forces Central Command and Bahrain that focuses on maritime security operations, installation defense and medical response. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jacob Vernier)
Neon Defender 23: HSC 26 Conducts Search and Rescue Training
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The mortarmen from HHC 2-116th CAB recently had an opportunity to train with the mortarmen from the 118th Infantry Regiment. Building relationships and cross training in the Task Force is what makes Rattler a cohesive team.
The mortarmen from HHC 2-116th CAB recently train with the mortarmen from the 118th Infantry Regiment.
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GULF OF AQABA (Feb. 6, 2022) A Saildrone Explorer unmanned surface vessel sails in the Gulf of Aqaba during International Maritime Exercise/Cutlass Express 2022. IMX/Cutlass Express 2022 is the largest multinational training event in the Middle East, involving more than 60 nations and international organizations committed to enhancing partnerships and interoperability to strengthen maritime security and stability. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Dawson Roth)
IMX/CE22 Training at Sea
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GULF OF ADEN (Dec. 14, 2021) Amphibious transport dock ship USS Portland (LPD 27) conducts a high-energy laser weapon system demonstration on a static surface training target, Dec. 14, while sailing in the Gulf of Aden. During the demonstration, the Solid State Laser – Technology Maturation Laser Weapons System Demonstrator Mark 2 MOD 0 aboard Portland successfully engaged the training target. The photograph was captured utilizing a short wave infrared lens and optical filter. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Donald Holbert)
Laser Weapon System Demonstration
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Sailors and Boeing team members prepare to move a Boeing unmanned MQ-25 aircraft into the hangar bay aboard the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77). The MQ-25 will be the worlds first operational, carrier-based unmanned aircraft and is integral to the future carrier air wing (CVW). It will provide an aerial refueling capability that extends the range, operational capability and lethality of the CVW and carrier strike group (CSG). GHWB provides the national command authority flexible, tailorable war fighting capability through the carrier strike group that maintains maritime stability and security in order to ensure access, deter aggression and defend U.S., allied and partner interests. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Noah J. Eidson)
MQ-25 Onload: The future is here
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GULF OF AQABA (Sept. 21, 2022) Two unmanned surface vessels, a Saildrone Explorer and Devil Ray T-38 operate in the Gulf of Aqaba, during exercise Digital Shield, Sept. 21. Digital Shield is a bilateral training exercise between U.S. Naval Forces Central Command and Israeli naval forces that focuses on enhancing maritime awareness using unmanned systems and artificial intelligence in support of vessel boarding operations.
The CENTCOM Innovation Oasis II website is open and active! https://openhive.us/inn-oasis-II U.S. Central Command will host its second CENTCOM Innovation Oasis competition on May 25, 2023. The Innovation Oasis is a “Shark Tank”-like innovation competition that will highlight select U.S. Service Members and DoD / Service Civilian ideas, inventions, and processes to be presented for possible implementation. These new ideas help improve the quality of life, enable our forces, and improve the weaponry in the hands of our military. The CENTCOM commander, Gen. Michael “Erik” Kurilla has fostered the culture of innovation as a key priority. CENTCOM is challenging its people to develop new ways of looking at old problems and to reset the way we think across everything we do. For this episode of Innovation Oasis, all CENTCOM Component Commands will host an internal competition and nominate their top submission to compete in the main event of Innovation Oasis II in Tampa, FL. The Winning Innovator for Innovation Oasis Episode II will get: • A service award • 4-day pass, and • The opportunity to implement your great idea across the command Submission Deadline is April 25, 2023. Innovators submitting on behalf of Component Commands will submit in accordance with timelines published by their respective Commands. Questions can be submitted to centcom.macdill.centcom-hq.mbx.centcom-innovation-oasis@mail.mil
Infographic depicting information for International Maritime Exercise/Cutlass Express 2023 (IMX/CE 23).
U.S. Army Spc. Alex Martin and 1st Lt. Zac Thompson, assigned to Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 118th Infantry Regiment, 37th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Combined Joint Task Force - Operation Inherent Resolve, pause for accountability during a patrol, Syria, Feb. 3, 2023. The 118th Infantry Regiment is a part of the U.S. Army National Guard based in South Carolina. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Julio Hernandez)
Juniper Oak 23-2 is a bilateral military exercise designed to enhance interoperability between the U.S. and Israel militaries. Forces from U.S. Central Command (USCENTCOM) components and the Israeli Defense Force (IDF) will participate. While this is the first iteration of Juniper Oak, it joins the long-standing “Juniper” series that the U.S. and Israel have conducted for more than 20-years. (Photo courtesy of the IDF Spokesperson's Office)
Juniper Oak 23-2 is a bilateral military exercise designed to enhance interoperability between the U.S. and Israel militaries. Forces from U.S. Central Command (USCENTCOM) components and the Israeli Defense Force (IDF) will participate. While this is the first iteration of Juniper Oak, it joins the long-standing “Juniper” series that the U.S. and Israel have conducted for more than 20-years. (Photo courtesy of the IDF Spokesperson's Office)
Juniper Oak is a large-scale bilateral multi-domain military exercise aimed to enhance interoperability between U.S. and Israeli armed forces contributing to integrated regional security. (Courtesy photo of the IDF Spokesperson’s Unit)
MEDITERRANEAN SEA (Jan. 24, 2023) The George H.W. Bush Carrier Strike Group sails in formation with the Israeli Navy during exercise Juniper Oak 2023-2, Jan. 24, 2023. Juniper Oak 23-2 is a bilateral military exercise, led by U.S. Central Command and the Israeli Defense Force, designed to enhance interoperability between the U.S. and Israel militaries. Juniper Oak 23-2 joins the long-standing “Juniper” series that the U.S. and Israel have conducted for more than 20-years. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Novalee Manzella)
ARABIAN GULF (Jan. 22, 2023) Naval Air Crewman (Helicopter) 2nd Class Cameron Wheeler, left, and Naval Air Crewman (Helicopter) 1st Class Aaron Stagg, both assigned to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 26, hoist a simulated casualty during exercise Neon Defender 23 in the Arabian Gulf, Jan. 22, 2023. Neon Defender is an annual bilateral training event between U.S. Naval Forces Central Command and Bahrain that focuses on maritime security operations, installation defense and medical response. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jacob Vernier)
The mortarmen from HHC 2-116th CAB recently had an opportunity to train with the mortarmen from the 118th Infantry Regiment. Building relationships and cross training in the Task Force is what makes Rattler a cohesive team.
GULF OF AQABA (Feb. 6, 2022) A Saildrone Explorer unmanned surface vessel sails in the Gulf of Aqaba during International Maritime Exercise/Cutlass Express 2022. IMX/Cutlass Express 2022 is the largest multinational training event in the Middle East, involving more than 60 nations and international organizations committed to enhancing partnerships and interoperability to strengthen maritime security and stability. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Dawson Roth)
GULF OF ADEN (Dec. 14, 2021) Amphibious transport dock ship USS Portland (LPD 27) conducts a high-energy laser weapon system demonstration on a static surface training target, Dec. 14, while sailing in the Gulf of Aden. During the demonstration, the Solid State Laser – Technology Maturation Laser Weapons System Demonstrator Mark 2 MOD 0 aboard Portland successfully engaged the training target. The photograph was captured utilizing a short wave infrared lens and optical filter. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Donald Holbert)
Sailors and Boeing team members prepare to move a Boeing unmanned MQ-25 aircraft into the hangar bay aboard the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77). The MQ-25 will be the worlds first operational, carrier-based unmanned aircraft and is integral to the future carrier air wing (CVW). It will provide an aerial refueling capability that extends the range, operational capability and lethality of the CVW and carrier strike group (CSG). GHWB provides the national command authority flexible, tailorable war fighting capability through the carrier strike group that maintains maritime stability and security in order to ensure access, deter aggression and defend U.S., allied and partner interests. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Noah J. Eidson)

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Deepest Condolences
"On behalf of U.S. Central Command, we extend our deepest condolences to the family and friends of a fallen American Airman in service to our country. Staff Sgt. James T. Grotjan, Operation Inherent Resolve Staff Sgt. James T. Grotjan’s dedication to selfless service on behalf of our nation will not be forgotten." - General Joseph L. Votel, Commander, U.S. Central Command
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Photo by: Steve McLeod |  VIRIN: 180715-M-LM779-001.JPG
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