CENTCOM Leads Regional Security Dialogue with 12 Nations in Bahrain
Adm. Brad Cooper, CENTCOM commander, and senior military officials from Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, the United Arab Emirates, and Yemen, discuss the current regional security environment and opportunities for enhancing defense collaboration during a regional security dialogue hosted by the Bahrain Defense Force, July 1, 2026. (U.S. Central Command Public Affairs photo)
An A-10 Thunderbolt II Releases Flares over CENTCOM
A U.S. Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft releases flares in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility May 31, 2026. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech Sgt Tiffany A. Emery)
U.S. Army Soldiers Conduct Operations in the Middle East
U.S. Army paratroopers conduct small arms training with the M4 carbine during a live-fire range in the Middle East. Such training helps Soldiers improve weapons proficiency, accuracy, and weapons handling skills in a variety of conditions. (U.S. Army photo)
Regional Cooperation 2026 End of Exercise
U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) completed its largest training exercise with central and south Asian nations, June 12, 2026. More than 350 military personnel from 10 countries and 10 U.S. National Guard units participated. The two-week event built relationships and fostered trust among partners. (U.S. Central Command Public Affairs video)
Regional Cooperation 2026
U.S. National Guardsmen and partner soldiers from Central and South Asia review shot groupings during M4 carbine familiarization training at Fort Harrison, Montana, June 3, 2026, as part of exercise Regional Cooperation 2026. Regional Cooperation 2026 is an annual, multinational U.S. Central Command-sponsored command-post, field training and cyber defense exercise conducted by U.S. National Guard units in partnership with nations from Central and South Asia, and other participating nations. (Oklahoma National Guard photo by Sgt. Anthony Ackah-Mensah)
U.S. Marines Conduct Blockade Operations
U.S. Marines from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit boarded M/T Celestial Sea, an Iranian-flagged commercial oil tanker suspected of attempting to violate the U.S. blockade by transiting toward an Iranian port, May 20, in the Gulf of Oman. American forces released the vessel after searching and directing the ship’s crew to alter course. U.S. forces continue to fully enforce the blockade and have now redirected 91 commercial ships to ensure compliance. (U.S. Central Command Video)
USS Tripoli Conducts Flight Ops
An F-35B Lighting II, attached to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 121, takes off from the flight deck of America-class amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli (LHA 7), May 13, 2026. Tripoli is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations to support maritime security and stability in the Middle East. (U.S. Navy photo)
31st MEU | Maritime Raid Force Sustains Helicopter and Roping Techniques
U.S. Marines with Maritime Raid Force, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, rappel out of an MH-60S Sea Hawk, assigned to Helicopter Sea Combat (HSC) Squadron 25, during helicopter and roping sustainment training aboard the forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli (LHA 7) in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, May 8, 2026. Tripoli is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations to support maritime security and stability in the Middle East. (U.S. Marine Corps photo)
U.S. Marines Board M/V Blue Star III
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)
USS George H.W. Bush Enters the CENTCOM AOR
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 Board M/V Touska
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 Disable Vessel Attempting to Enter Iranian Port, Violate Blockade
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.
CENTCOM Commander Visits Troops in the Middle East
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 Addresses Media at the Pentagon
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)
B-2 Spirit Takes off for a Mission During Operation Epic Fury
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. Central Command Photo Gallery