U.S. Marines from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit boarded M/V Blue Star III, a commercial ship suspected of attempting to transit to Iran in violation of the U.S. blockade of Iranian ports, in the Arabian Sea, April 28, 2026. U.S. forces released the vessel after conducting a search and confirming the ship’s voyage would not include an Iranian port call. (U.S. Central Command Video)
Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) sails in the Indian Ocean in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, April 23, 2026. (U.S. Navy photo)
U.S. Marines depart amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli (LHA 7) by helicopter and transit over the Arabian Sea to board and seize M/V Touska. The Marines rappelled onto the Iranian-flagged vessel, April 19, after guided-missile destroyer USS Spruance (DDG 111) disabled Touska’s propulsion when the commercial ship failed to comply with repeated warnings from U.S. forces over a six-hour period. (U.S. Central Command Video)
U.S. forces operating in the Arabian Sea enforced naval blockade measures against an Iranian-flagged cargo vessel attempting to sail toward an Iranian port, April 19.
U.S. Navy Admiral Brad Cooper, commander of U.S. Central Command, engages with troops during an awards presentation at a base in the Middle East. Cooper visited troops to answer questions and recognize their achievements in their continued efforts. (U.S. Navy photo by Senior Chief Mass Communication Specialist Amanda Dunford)
Adm. Brad Cooper, CENTCOM commander, addresses media at the Pentagon during a briefing on the blockade against ships attempting to enter or exit Iranian ports. Adm. Cooper also highlighted his most recent trip to the Middle East where he visited with U.S. service members and engaged regional allies and partners. (DoW courtesy video)
USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) conducts U.S. blockade operations in the Arabian Sea, April 16. The ship's embarked carrier air wing includes eight F-35C stealth fighters, F/A-18 fighter jets, EA-18G electronic attack aircraft, E-2D command and control planes, MH-60 helicopters and CMV-22B Ospreys for logistics support. (U.S. Navy photo)
Audio of a Sailor aboard USS Michael Murphy (DDG 112), with video from the guided-missile destroyer’s embarked helicopter flying over the Gulf of Oman, as the U.S. Navy diverts a merchant vessel while enforcing the blockade on ships entering or departing Iranian ports. (U.S. Central Command Public Affairs video)
U.S. Navy Adm. Brad Cooper, commander of CENTCOM, provides an update on Operation Epic Fury, April 9, 2026. (U.S. Central Command Video)
U.S. Airmen conduct B-2 Spirit aircraft operations at a base in the U.S. Strategic Command area of responsibility in support of Operation Epic Fury, April 2, 2026. (U.S. Air Force video)
U.S. Sailors conducts flight operations on the flight deck of Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) during Operation Epic Fury, April 2, 2026. (U.S. Navy photo)
U.S. Airmen prepare a B-2 Spirit stealth bomber during Operation Epic Fury, March 29, 2026. (U.S. Air Force video)
A U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft refuels a U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II and F-15E Strike Eagle aircraft during Operation Epic Fury in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, April 5, 2026. (U.S. Air Force video)
U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon and F-15E Strike Eagle aircraft take off for a mission, during Operation Epic Fury, April 4, 2026. (U.S. Air Force video)
A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft refuels from a KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft during Operation Epic Fury, April 2, 2026. (U.S. Air Force video)

U.S. Central Command Photo Gallery

CENTCOM Innovation Oasis Episode II
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

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