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  • U.S., French leaders share concepts and challenges

    Leadership from the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing (AEW) recently participated in an engagement with their French counterparts from Base Aerienne 104, October 10, 2024. The exchange consisted of a facility tour and briefings to gain insight on shared operational concepts and mutual challenges.

  • 386th ESFS advances mission readiness with UAS operator certification

    The 386th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron recently conducted an unmanned aerial system (UAS) defense certification event within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility (AOR). The culminating event certified 16 members from the 386th ESFS as air defense operators.

  • AFCENT showcases Coalition airpower at Bahrain Airshow

    The Bahrain International Airshow 2024, one of the region’s most prominent aviation and aerospace defense expositions, began this week at Bahrain’s Sakhir Air Base and includes a wide array of aircraft and assets from across the U.S. Department of Defense.

  • 386th ESFS unleashes state-of-the-art K-9 kennel facility

    The 386th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron opened its new state-of-the-art military working dog (MWD) kennel facility with a ribbon cutting ceremony, hosting 386th Air Expeditionary Wing and U.S. Army partner leadership teams, Nov. 4, 2024, within the U.S. Central Command area of

  • First Sergeants at The Rock: Supporting the mission at every level

    In the fast-paced environment of the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing, first sergeants are the cornerstone of mission readiness and the well-being of Airmen under their care within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility (AOR). Affectionately known as the Diamonds on the Rock, these dedicated,

  • KC-135 Maintenance: A Family Business

    From the outskirts of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to the heart of U.S. Central Command, a father-son duo worked hand-in-hand to enable air refueling operations that contribute to peace and security throughout the region.

  • 387 AES QRT - A Force Multiplier for Theater Sustainment

    In the heart of challenging and dynamic operational environments, where resources are scarce, an elite team of aerial porters from the 387th Air Expeditionary Squadron Quick Reaction Team (QRT) are the unsung heroes of mission success in the U.S. Central Command, where they rapidly deploy to austere

  • E-11A Aircraft play key role during humanitarian airdrops in Gaza

    The E-11A Aircraft equipped with the Battlefield Airborne Communication Node, assigned to the 430th Expeditionary Electronic Combat Squadron, has played a mission critical role in behind-the-scenes support to U.S. partners and allies facilitating airdrops in Gaza.

  • AFCENT’s Task Force-99 focuses efforts on partner nation integration

    What does the future warfighter look like? What uniform will they wear? Will they integrate with artificial intelligence? There are a lot of unknowns about the future fight, but there is one certainty: to continue generating combat airpower, the U.S. Air Force and their mission partners need to

  • Air Force Historical Foundation names 432nd Wing 2023 Doolittle Award winner

    The 432nd Wing/432nd Air Expeditionary Wing at Creech Air Force Base, Nev., received the Air Force Historical Foundation’s 2023, James H. “Jimmy” Doolittle Award, Jan. 23. The award is earned by the U.S. Air Force or U.S. Space Force for displaying bravery, determination, discipline, esprit de

  • 75th FS, 75th FGS return from deployment

    Members assigned to the 75th Fighter Squadron and 75th Fighter Generation Squadron returned Dec. 8, 2023, to Moody Air Force Base, Georgia, from a deployment to Al Dhafra Air Base, United Arab Emirates.

  • 388th and 419th FW airman return to Hill following Middle East deployment

    Pilots, maintainers, and support personnel from the U.S. Air Force’s 388th Fighter Wing and U.S. Air Force Reserve’s 419th Fighter Wing have returned to Hill Air Force Base after completing their deployment of the F-35A Lightning II to U.S. Central Command’s area of responsibility (AOR) throughout

  • Agile Spartan 23.2: RJ’s stay on watch

    In a dynamic display of agility and combat effectiveness, a U.S. Air Force RC-135 Rivet Joint assigned to the 763rd Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron at Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar, recently showcased its indispensable role during Operation Agile Spartan, Aug. 18-24, 2023.

  • C-21 mission departs AUAB

    Marking the end of 32 years of operations in the Middle East, the C-21A Learjet took its last flight out of Air Forces Central's Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar, June 30, 2023, setting course for its new home at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois.

  • F-22 Raptors demonstrate air superiority in CENTCOM

    U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptors from the 94th Fighter Squadron, Langley Air Force Base, Virginia, recently deployed to the U.S. Central Command’s area of responsibility as part of a multifaceted show of support and capability in the region.

  • Defender, Right Out the Gate

    The teams who man the BADC work around the clock to support a mission that requires quick responses and constant vigilance. The level of responsibility for such a position is primarily reserved for more seasoned security forces Airmen, but within the BADC team at Prince Sultan Air Base, Saudi

  • 386 AEW highlights partnership on Media Day

    The 386th Air Expeditionary Wing hosted a Media Day March 21, 2023 at Ali Al Salem Air Base, Kuwait, highlighting how partnerships with Kuwait and coalition partners advances the base’s warfighter support and ability to project decisive combat power for a safe and stable Middle East.

  • Red Flag Nellis 23-2 underway

    With the arrival of the U.S. Air National Guard, U.S. Marine Corps and the Israeli Air Force, the 414th Combat Training Squadron is ready to begin Red Flag-Nellis 23-2, which runs March 12-24. Red Flag is one of the U.S. Air Force’s largest combat training exercises designed to improve the

  • AFCENT celebrates key partner FMS success

    The Royal Bahraini Air Force, the United States Air Force and Lockheed Martin celebrated the first F-16 Block 70 delivery to Bahrain during a ceremony at Lockheed Martin’s Greenville, South Carolina.

  • Completion of Juniper Oak 23.2 Exercise

    Today, U.S. Central Command and the Israel Defense Forces concluded Juniper Oak 23.2, the largest U.S.-Israel partnered exercise in history. Juniper Oak 23.2 integrated U.S. and Israeli 5th generation fighter assets, the USS George H.W. Bush Carrier Strike Group, command and control elements, rescue

  • What you need to stop the bleed

    The 379th Expeditionary Medical Support Squadron apheresis donation clinic is charged with screening patients and collecting donations to be shipped across the U.S. Central Command Area of Responsibility.

  • CSAF, CMSAF visit CENTCOM

    Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. CQ Brown, Jr. and Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force JoAnne S. Bass visited the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility Jan. 6-9. There, they visited Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar conducting key leader engagements and visiting Expeditionary Air Wings.

  • 430th EECS begins operations with new E-11A BACN

    The 430th EECS is the only unit in the U.S. Air Force that operates the E-11A aircraft with the Battlefield Airborne Communication Node or BACN payload. As such, the Black Wolves strive to provide consistent and effective communication channels for air, ground and maritime forces in the U.S. Central

  • 77th “Gamblers Double Down”- demonstrate Shaw’s AFFORGEN capabilities

    In line with the new Air Force Force Generation, or AFFORGEN model, the 20th Fighter Wing has accelerated its force generation approach, sustained readiness and delivered three major aviation deployments in calendar year 2022. Including back-to-back deployments to Prince Sultan Air Base, the 77th

  • AFCENT’s innovation Task Force 99 establishes ops, HQ

    Less than two months following the establishment of Task Force 99, Lt. Gen. Alexus G. Grynkewich, Ninth Air Force (Air Forces Central) commander, visited the team at their new location for a peek behind the curtain of the command’s innovation powerhouse, Dec 1, 2022.

  • 386th AEW PA highlights decisive combat power through their lenses

    For the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs office, the entire PA shop of the January to July 2022 rotation were all members of the Air National Guard, and they brought the skills of their civilian professions to the PA career field in an active duty environment. They explain how their

  • 379th Expeditionary Security Forces Train in Agile Combat Employment

    The 379th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron defenders assigned to Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar, tested their competence as multi-capable Airmen by putting into action the Air Force’s Agile Combat Employment model during Accurate Test 22, an exercise at Thumrait Air Base, Oman. Prior to their AT22

  • Brig. Gen. Lopez takes command of the 380th AEW

    Brig. Gen. David “Shotgun” Lopez assumed command from Brig. Gen. Andy “Spoo” Clark, the previous commander of the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing, June 7, Al Dhafra Air Base, United Arab Emirates. Assuming this role, Lopez will be responsible for the Airmen and assets of 10 unique squadrons as well as

  • Shooters roll’em home

    Airmen from the 55th Fighter Squadron and Fighter Generation Squadron returned home after a six-month long deployment to an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia in late April 2022.

  • Sky Shield IV: AUAB hones strategic mission capabilities

    The 379th Air Expeditionary Wing, along with the Qatar Emiri Air Force and U.S. Marine Corps, participated in Sky Shield IV, Ninth Air Force (Air Forces Central)’s first major training event of 2022, Jan. 23-25, 2022.

  • Compass Call deploys to Kuwait to support USCENTCOM AOR

    The rapid deployment of the EC-130s into the USCENTCOM area of responsibility exhibits the U.S.’s ability to incorporate additional combat capability at any time, deterring regional aggressors through the electronic warfare prowess.

  • “Repetition, diligence, focus,” Al Udeid improves readiness posture

    For four days, Feb. 14-17, and with the participation of coalition partners from the Royal Air Force and Qatar Emiri Air Force, personnel assigned to the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing transformed the modern-day saying “stay ready so you don’t have to get ready,” from a concept to reality during Grand

  • 1st Fighter Wing deploys to United Arab Emirates

    A contingent of 27th Fighter Squadron F-22 Raptors, and Airmen assigned to the 1st Fighter Wing, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia, recently deployed to Al Dhafra Air Base, United Arab Emirates.

  • Defenders protect ASAB from drones

    The 386th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron works within the Wing Operations Center at Ali Al Salem Air Base, Kuwait, to monitor and detect the area around the base to protect service members from possible drone threats.

  • Coalition forces strengthen close air support capabilities

    U.S. Air Force tactical air control party (TACP) Airmen deployed to the 82nd Expeditionary Air Support Operations Squadron, along with the U.S. Army 1st Battalion 194th Armor Regiment joint fires observers (JFOs) in-training, and the Italian air force (Aeronautica Militare) Task Group Typhoon

  • 379th EFSS serves Afghanistan evacuees

    The 379th Expeditionary Force Support Squadron is generally best known for providing services that help maintain the morale and welfare of deployed service members at Al Udeid Air Base, including running facilities such as the base’s five dining facilities, lodging, several gyms, community centers,

  • NEO challenges push ADAB to new heights

    While ADAB was not one of the primary transition hubs for evacuees, the weight of flying and support functions relied heavily on the members of the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing to fulfill mission requirements that other bases in the U.S. Central Command theater could not satisfy with the logistical

  • Compass Call squadron inactivated after 20 years in theater

    The 41st Expeditionary Electronic Combat Squadron was officially inactivated September 28, 2021 after almost twenty years of providing continual airborne electronic combat support to the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. The 41st ECS is assigned to the 55th Electronic Combat Group at

  • Joint Forces come together to provide life sustainment needs

    The Joint Special Operations Forces Support Detachment- Kuwait serves as the lifeline to the special operations force’s men and women on the ground throughout the area of responsibility. They supply support in every aspect by delivering those men and women food, weapons, ammunition, fuel, funds and

  • AUAB supports largest NEO airlift in history

    On Aug. 14, the first C-17 Globemaster III full of evacuees took off from Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul and arrived at Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar. The base quickly became the primary transit hub for evacuees flowing out of Afghanistan. “Through teamwork with Qatar, coalition partners,

  • The 46th Expeditionary Attack Squadron takes flight with the MQ-9 Reaper

    The 46th Expeditionary Attack Squadron serves a multi-faceted operation that is responsible for reconnaissance, intelligence and surveillance throughout the area of responsibility. Here they have a launch and recovery element utilizing the MQ-9 Reaper to complete their mission to meet daily air

  • “Capital Guardians” bring excellence to AFCENT skies

    Over the past week, aircraft and Airmen assigned to the District of Columbia Air National Guard’s 113th Wing arrived at Prince Sultan Air Base, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, to join the 378th Air Expeditionary Wing as it provides combat power projection across the region in defense of U.S. forces.

  • BTC: the lifeline of the AOR

    In combat zones, having blood products readily available to treat critically wounded patients is crucial to save the lives of military members downrange. Due to the base’s robust mission, a fleet of several different types of aircraft, its prime location in a relatively safe area and large enough

  • AUAB’s 540-degree protection system

    As technology and warfare changes, so too does the focus for base defense. No longer can the military focus solely on the 360-degree defense of the base perimeter – defending the airspace is also necessary to fight in today’s contested environments. This is where the counter-small unmanned aerial

  • Weather: Predicting the unpredictable

    From dust to lightning, the 407th Expeditionary Operations Support Squadron Weather Flight ensures all personnel and coalition partners are aware of the local weather and can prepare accordingly. The mission of the 407th EOSS Weather Flight is to converge and exploit weather intelligence with joint

  • Deployed defenders training goes virtual

    The 380th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron became the first in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility to receive a virtual reality emergency response and shooting simulator last month.

  • 379th ESFS and EOD team up for counter UAS training

    The 379th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron and 379th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron Explosive Ordnance Disposal team partnered for a counter-small unmanned aerial systems training event at Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar, Dec. 11, 2020.

  • We’re putting the band back together

    The U.S. Air Forces Central Band has returned to Al Udeid Air Base after a nine-month absence. This rotation's band — "Wild Blue Country" — will be representing the Department of Defense as a strategic partner of Qatar in 2021 for the U.S.-Qatar Year of Culture as well as bringing live music and

  • The Patriots defending ASAB

    Ali Al Salem Air Base, Kuwait, is home to thousands of U.S. Air Force Airmen, U.S. Army Soldiers and coalition forces.Day and night, defenders from the 386th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron can be seen roaming the base, scanning the perimeter and ensuring that no threat comes close to the

  • 729th Air Control Squadron Airmen return home from deployment

    Airmen assigned to the 729th Air Control Squadron were welcomed home by their unit and families Oct. 25 after nearly six months deployed to the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. The squadron’s Airmen were dispersed to different locations in the AOR to provide 24/7 battle management and

  • AMDEX 21-1 kicks off to enhance relationships, readiness

    The U.S. military regularly participates in exercises with joint, coalition and regional partners in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility each year. Air and Missile Defense Exercise 21-1, which started Oct. 12, is a U.S. Air Forces Central-led exercise that develops and exercises tactics,

  • Medical care in the air

    On a typical mission with one crew, two flight nurses and three aeromedical technicians, the Airmen assigned to the 379th Expeditionary Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron have the ability to transform nearly any cargo aircraft into a flying hospital.

  • 332nd, 379th AEWs work together to expand agile combat employment in AOR

    In a joint effort to implement agile combat employment, F-15E Strike Eagle maintainers from the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing conducted hot pitting training and aircraft arresting system certification with deployed members from the 379th AEW, Aug. 23 and 28, 2020 at Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar.

  • Operation Silent Sentry: 5,500 days and counting

    As space and cyberspace become more competitive and crowded, the amount of signals transferred through satellites grows every day. Each signal takes up space in the electromagnetic spectrum. For 5,500 consecutive days, Operation Silent Sentry has been run by Total Force Airmen from the 16th Space

  • Military Working Dogs, Handlers stick together

    It’s no secret that MWDs and their handlers share a strong bond. Through this bond, countless hours of effort, training and patience has been sacrificed to become an effective team.

  • THAAD protects CENTCOM AOR

    Photo Essay: Soldiers from Bravo Battery, 2nd Air Defense Artillery Regiment system check a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) launcher during routine start up procedures in the U.S. Central Command’s area of responsibility, June 25, 2020. The THAAD system and its Army operators are

  • MWD and EOD collaborate in joint operations at ASAB

    Job proficiency is key to staying on top of your game. Even while deployed, military working dogs and their trainers get top-notch experience with explosive ordnance Airmen. Day and night, Airmen from the 386th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron military working dog flight team up with Explosive

  • Stronger Together: French Air Force combines with CAOC to enhance airpower

    To conduct the synchronization of air assets across more than 4 million miles of U.S. Central Command’s area of responsibility, a dynamic force comprised of men and women scattered throughout multiple divisions and cells is needed. It is within the Combined Air Operations Center walls where an 18

  • Tigers redeploy amidst COVID-19

    Airmen assigned to the 79th Fighter Squadron and the 79th Fighter Generation Squadron, also known as the “Tigers”, as well as other Team Shaw units, redeployed from U.S. Central Command’s area of responsibility, late May to early June.

  • F-15C ICTs make a comeback

    While F-15C Eagles fly high securing U.S. CENTCOM’s skies, U.S. Air Force maintainers and crew chiefs from the 44th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron await the airframe’s arrival on the flight line below, anticipating the workload to come. After their touch down, the F-15s taxi to their respective area

  • XP: the base’s front door

    The 380th Air Expeditionary Wing Plans and Programs shop, also known as “XP,” is that first step. They are responsible for developing base’s plans, programs and policies; coordinating programming actions to resolve issues; and constantly analyzing the effectiveness of these programs.This shop

  • Securing the High Ground with Partners

    U.S. Air Forces Central Command published its January Airpower Summary March 7. The year 2019 began with airpower supporting joint coalition and partner forces fighting violent extremist groups in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility.

  • MQ-1B PREDATOR ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION RELEASED

    An MQ-1B Predator remotely piloted aircraft crashed August 17, 2017, in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility while forward-deployed and participating in a combat support mission. At the time of the mishap, the aircraft was being operated by an aircrew from the 432d Air Expeditionary

  • CONFINED SPACE MISHAP, GROUND ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION REPORT RELEASED

    An Air Combat Command ground accident investigation board report was released today on the July 12, 2018, death of an Air Force staff sergeant assigned to the 4th Civil Engineer Squadron at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina. The Airman was deployed to the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing,

  • Force protection Airmen vital to base security

    U.S. military bases throughout the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility rely on local and other non-U.S. contractors to support base construction and maintenance needs. To ensure the safety and security of base personnel and assets at Bagram Airfield, Airmen assigned to the force protection

  • Medical Airmen, volunteers keep blood supply flowing

    Al Udeid Air Base’s Blood Transshipment Center is a one of a kind place. While it is the only blood transshipment center in U.S. Central Command’s area of responsibility, it also houses one of the few missions on base that regularly uses volunteers from other career fields.

  • MQ-1B ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION RELEASED

    An MQ-1B Predator remotely piloted aircraft crashed September 4, 2017, in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility while forward-deployed and participating in a combat support mission. At the time of the mishap, the aircraft was being operated by an aircrew from the 432d Air Expeditionary

  • Army general reflects on ISIS annihilation with RPA Airmen

    U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Paul Funk, III Armored Corps and Fort Hood, Texas, commanding general, visited Creech Air Force Base, Nevada, Dec. 10, 2018.Funk was the commanding general of the Combined Joint Task Force - Operation Inherent Resolve for U.S. Central Command.This visit was an opportunity for Funk

  • October summary highlights partnerships, airpower contributions

    Today, U.S. Air Forces Central Command published its October Airpower Summary outlining airpower operations in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility.In October, the Afghan Air Force played a pivotal role in the country’s parliamentary elections, delivering and retrieving voting materials

  • AFCENT Airmen Support Afghan Airdrop Training and MERV Clearance Ops

    U.S. Air Forces Central Command published its September Airpower Summary today highlighting airpower operations in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. In Afghanistan, AFCENT Airmen operated as part of Operation Freedom’s Sentinel and the NATO Resolute Support Mission to train, advise

  • Vipers start your engines

    Maintenance members assigned to the 157th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron perform an afterburner run on an F-16 Fighting Falcon at an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia, Sept. 18, 2018. The F-16 Fighting Falcon is a compact, multi-role fighter aircraft. It is highly maneuverable and has proven

  • AFCENT command and control operations weather the storm

    Airmen of the 609th AOC Det. 1 support real-world command and control operations everyday with AFCENT’s forward headquarters at Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar. Whether it’s ensuring the Combined Air Operations Center maintains resiliency in the face of any attack or situation, or planning hundreds of

  • MQ-1B ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION RELEASED

    A lost datalink and the mishap crew's misperception of the aircraft's flight control settings caused an MQ-1B to crash March 8, 2016 in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, according to an Air Combat Command Abbreviated Accident Investigation Board report released today. The MQ-1B,

  • MQ-1B ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION RELEASED

    An MQ-1B crashed Jan. 7, 2016 in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility after an anomaly within the flight computer commanded the aircraft to descend into the ground, according to an Air Combat Command Abbreviated Accident Investigation Board report released today. The MQ-1B assigned to the

  • 386th AEW Marauders bring fight to enemy

    Since its activation in 2002, the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing has been pivotal in the battle against violent extremism. The wing’s primary focus is delivering decisive airpower throughout the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility in order to provide stability to the region, a job that