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. 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. 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)
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)
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)
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. 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.)
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)
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)
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. 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. 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.
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.

U.S. Central Command Photo Gallery

PWD Bahrain commemorates Bahraini Women’s Day
BAHRAIN (Dec. 1, 2021) Cmdr. Adam Kushner, Public Works Officer, Public Works Department, Naval Support Activity, Bahrain poses with five of the six PWD Bahrain female employees in celebration of Bahraini Women’s Day, Dec. 1. This is the 20th anniversary of the celebration that commemorates the achievements and creative contribution made by women to the development and progress of Bahrain. Joining Kushner in the photo, from left to right, are Ms. Mariam Ghuloom, Engineering Technician, Facilities Support Contracts Branch; Ms. Hawra Abu-Idrees, Management and Program Assistant, Environmental Division; Cmdr. Kushner; Ms. Layla Turabi, Chemical Engineer, Potable Water Manager, Environmental Division and Ms. Maryam Haider, Host Nation Community Planner. Unfortunately, Ms. Nada Ghazwan, Procurement Technician, Contracting Department was not available to appear in the photo. Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command, Europe, Africa, Central, Public Works Department, Naval Support Activity Bahrain enables mission support to personnel and operational assets within the Navy Central Command/5th FLEET Area of Responsibility through deliberate planning and execution of installation facility support requirements. (U.S. Navy photo by Construction Electrician 2nd Class Quenniemay Galarpe/Released)

Photo by: Lisa Woodbury Rama |  VIRIN: 211130-N-JO929-001B.JPG