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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.
U.S., Partner Forces Strike ISIS Targets in Syria
U.S. CENTRAL COMMAND AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY (Jan. 10, 2026) U.S. Airmen prepare F-15E Strike Eagles for flight from a base in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility in support of Operation Hawkeye Strike, Jan. 10, 2026. (U.S. Air Force video)
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)
USS Roosevelt (DDG 80) Transits the Arabian Gulf
ARABIAN GULF (Jan. 11, 2026) The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Roosevelt (DDG 80) transits the Arabian Gulf while operating in the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) area of responsibility. Roosevelt is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations to support maritime security and stability in the CENTCOM area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Indra Beaufort)
Task Force Shikra (3-4 AHB) participates in Exercise Sky Shield 2025
A U.S. Army AH-64D Apache assigned to Task Force Shikra (3-4 AHB), 4th Combat Aviation Brigade prepares to engage targets during Exercise Sky Shield at the Udari Range Complex, Kuwait, Dec. 5, 2025. Led by Kuwait, exercise Sky Shield included participation from the United States, Bahrain, and the United Kingdom. (U.S. Army Photo by Joe Kumzak)
U.S., German Soldiers Enhance Readiness and Partnership During Schützenschnur Qualification at Beneswala Range
U.S. and German Soldiers pose for a group photo following completion of the Schützenschnur qualification at Beneswala Range on Oct. 31, 2025. The multinational event fostered camaraderie, interoperability, and shared standards between partner forces deployed to the region. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Doniel Kennedy.)
USS Roosevelt (DDG 80) sails in the Arabian Sea
ARABIAN SEA (Dec. 8, 2025) The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Roosevelt (DDG 80) conducts a sea-and-anchor evolution in the Arabian Sea. Roosevelt is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations to support maritime security and stability in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Indra Beaufort)
U.S., Qatar and allies enhance regional defense during Exercise Ferocious Falcon 6
A U.S. Air Force B-52 Stratofortress aircraft assigned to the 96th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron refuels during a Bomber Task Force mission in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Nov. 17, 2025. This BTF showcased the U.S. Air Force’s ability to rapidly deploy strategic assets from U.S. bases to Europe and beyond, demonstrating global reach. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Nicholas A. Monteleone)
Marauder Shield 26.1
A U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle aircraft soars through the air during exercise Marauder Shield 26.1 within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Nov. 11, 2025. Marauder Shield 26.1 was focused on enhancing counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems capabilities, fighter integration, improving command and control, and fostering closer cooperation between the U.S. and Kuwait, ensuring a more secure and stable region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Tylin Rust)
U.S. Forces Unleash Massive Strike Against ISIS in Syria
U.S. CENTRAL COMMAND AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY (Dec. 18, 2025) U.S. Airmen prepare to load GBU-31 munition systems onto F-15E Strike Eagles at a base in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Dec. 18, 2025. (U.S. Air Force Photo)
U.S. Forces Unleash Massive Strike Against ISIS in Syria
U.S. CENTRAL COMMAND AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY (Dec. 19, 2025) On Dec. 19, U.S. and Jordanian forces struck more than 70 targets at multiple locations across central Syria with more than 100 precision munitions targeting known ISIS infrastructure and weapons sites. The operation follows the attack on U.S. and partner forces on Dec. 13.
U.S. Navy in Middle East Employs Attack Drone at Sea for First Time
ARABIAN GULF (Dec. 16, 2025) The Independence-class littoral combat ship USS Santa Barbara (LCS32) successfully launches a Low-cost Unmanned Combat Attack System (LUCAS) from the flight deck while transiting the Arabian Gulf, Dec. 16. Task Force 59 operated the LUCAS drone, which is part of Task Force Scorpion Strike, a one-way attack drone squadron recently deployed to the Middle East to strengthen regional security and deterrence.

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ADAB Military Working Dogs perform in capability demonstration
U.S. Air Force military working dog handler, Staff Sgt. Patrick Cushing, and working dog Tuka participate in a demonstration highlighting the capabilities of the team at Al Dhafra Air Base, United Arab Emirates, October 8, 2018. The speed, agility, and discipline of the working dogs were on display as their handlers performed simulated training scenarios that replicate real-world encounters the military working dogs and their handlers’ experience. The scenarios included the MWD’s escorting simulated potential suspects, played by handlers, as they chased and apprehended their fleeing targets on the command of handlers. “This demo is the result of many hours of challenging and purposeful training between the military working dogs and their handlers,” said Staff. Sgt. Jeffrie Kennedy. “I’m truly proud of this team and their capability performed within this demonstration as they show what we bring to the fight and our team enjoys getting the chance to demonstrate our capability.” Brig. Gen. Adrian Spain, 380th Air Expeditionary Wing commander, was impressed with the capabilities of the working dogs. “This team is an integral part of our ability to protect and defend our people and mission here. It was awesome for the rest of the base to be able to see them in action,” said Spain. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Nieko Carzis)
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