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Esper: Operation Sentinel Prevents Escalation of Middle East Waterways Conflict
By C. Todd Lopez
| July 24, 2019
Just three hours into his new job, Defense Secretary Dr. Mark T. Esper met with reporters at the Pentagon to discuss Iran, China and the proposed defense budget.
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Feb. 5, 2026
U.S. Navy and Royal Saudi Naval Forces Conclude Exercise Indigo Defender
Feb. 5, 2026
USS Delbert D. Black Departs Israel Following Port Visit
Feb. 3, 2026
MARCENT Hosts Lebanese Armed Forces for Security Summit
Jan. 27, 2026
AFCENT to Conduct Readiness Exercise, Generate Combat Airpower
Jan. 13, 2026
Blue Sands 26.1 Fortifies Integrated Air Defense and C-UAS Capabilities Across AFCENT
Jan. 8, 2026
Soldiers, Airmen Increase Sustainment Mission Capabilities
Dec. 16, 2025
332nd AEW Rolls Towards Modernization with New Vehicle Fleet
Dec. 11, 2025
U.S. and Israeli Navies Conclude Exercise Intrinsic Defender
Nov. 22, 2025
U.S., Qatar and Allies Enhance Regional Defense during Exercise Ferocious Falcon 6
Nov. 19, 2025
Royal Saudi Land Forces Complete Historic Training Rotation in U.S.
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Iran launched multiple one-way attack drones in an attempt to strike commercial ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz. U.S. forces have downed all of them in recent hours as traffic flow through the strait continues unimpeded. The international trade corridor remains open for
A U.S. Air Force F-16 fighter jet patrols the skies above the Middle East as American forces maintain regional presence and vigilance. https://t.co/mdTwr1SRRO
Today, CENTCOM completed its largest training exercise with central and south Asian nations. 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. https://t.co/3yJTBJHGFE
U.S. Navy warships and air assets continue to patrol regional waters enforcing the blockade against Iran. As of today, U.S. forces have redirected 136 and disabled 9 to ensure compliance. https://t.co/lcMGuGQW1g
The Strait of Hormuz remains open for transit. https://t.co/OkHnbiTNpl
https://t.co/6VEqoDxDSb
U.S. Central Command forces began launching additional self-defense strikes today at 5:15 p.m. ET against multiple targets in Iran at the Commander in Chief’s direction. The strikes are in response to Iran’s unwarranted and continued aggression.
https://t.co/YgShlznGPQ
U.S. Army paratroopers conduct small arms training during a live-fire exercise in the Middle East. https://t.co/dst1OyLXUG
U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) forces began launching self-defense strikes against Iran at 5 p.m. ET today at the Commander in Chief’s direction, in response to yesterday’s downing of a U.S. Army Apache helicopter. The mission is a proportional response to unjustified Iranian
U.S. Marines with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit load onto a UH-1Y Venom aboard USS Tripoli (LHA 7) to conduct aerial sniper and close air support training while transiting regional waters. https://t.co/Y6HYfgOVYJ
https://t.co/k6NzVz3G5t
Adm. Brad Cooper, CENTCOM commander, briefed the Defense subcommittee for the House Appropriations Committee today in Washington, D.C., on U.S. military operational priorities in the Middle East. Cooper will also brief the committee in the Senate tomorrow. These sessions follow https://t.co/jACQs9MH3E
https://t.co/EwA0PPWagv
U.S. forces across the Middle East remain vigilant and ready. https://t.co/EG9ozG1BAQ
The officer of the deck aboard USS Michael Murphy (DDG 112) observes a merchant vessel while the guided-missile destroyer enforces the U.S. blockade against Iran in the Arabian Sea. As of June 7, CENTCOM forces have redirected 132 commercial vessels and disabled 6 to ensure https://t.co/mZtfSMTIRG
Two U.S. Air Force F-35A stealth fighter jets fly over the Middle East during a patrol. https://t.co/xpWnAUbeRT
Maj. Enkhtuvshin Namjildorj from the Mongolian Air Force talks about M4 familiarization training during Exercise Regional Cooperation 26. U.S. forces and our partners are stronger when we train and operate together. https://t.co/qKo4GvhuWT
U.S. Sailors and Marines aboard USS Tripoli (LHA 7) rappel out of an MH-60S Sea Hawk while the ship sails in the Arabian Sea. https://t.co/QULGIkO5yk
Moments ago, CENTCOM forces shot down four Iranian one-way attack drones that were launched toward the Strait of Hormuz. The attack drones posed an immediate threat to regional maritime traffic. U.S. forces subsequently struck Iranian coastal surveillance radar sites in Goruk and
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