Category: US Airforce Central Command

Source: United States Airforce Central Command

SOUTHWEST ASIA —  

Special Operations Task Group-Central and Air Forces Central Airmen from throughout the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility recently conducted orientations and static on-load/off-load procedure familiarization for the rapid employment of palletized movements with Joint Air to Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM) cradles from an MC-130J Commando II combat transport aircraft.

Loading JASSM cradles into the special operations aircraft, the Airmen worked with SOTG-C crews and maintenance personnel to rehearse standard operating procedures for future palletized movements within the region.

This iteration builds upon previous activities within CENTCOM with regards to palletized movements. 

Palletized effects have the potential to assist in multiple scenarios on the spectrum of conflict ranging from contested resupply to kinetic effects.

Source: United States Airforce Central Command

A U.S. Air Force C-130J Super Hercules conducts an airdrop of humanitarian assistance over Gaza, Mar. 2, 2024. The humanitarian aid includes over 72 bundles of food and water, which provides over 50,000 meals to civilians most in need of assistance due to the ongoing conflict in the region. U.S. Central Command and the United States are committed to supporting the humanitarian aid mission to the people of Gaza. (U.S. Air Force courtesy photo)

Source: United States Airforce Central Command

A U.S. Army Soldier secures straps on humanitarian aid pallets at an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia, March 1, 2024. The 66 pallets, destined for airdrop in Gaza aboard a C-130J Super Hercules, included 38,000 Meals Ready to Eat and water to alleviate suffering of civilians. U.S. Army Central quartermaster company Soldiers specialize in rigging supplies for airdrops ensured the pallets were ready for the mission. (U.S. Air Force Courtesy Photo)

Source: United States Airforce Central Command

UNDISCLOSED LOCATION, Southwest Asia —  

U.S. Central Command and the Royal Jordanian Air Force conducted a combined humanitarian assistance airdrop into Gaza on March 2, 2024, between 3:00 and 5:00 p.m. (Gaza time) to provide essential relief to civilians affected by the ongoing conflict.

The combined operation included U.S. Air Force and RJAF C-130 aircraft and respective Army Soldiers specialized in aerial delivery of supplies, built bundles and ensured the safe drop of food aid. U.S. C-130s dropped over 38,000 meals along the coastline of Gaza allowing for civilian access to the critical aid.

The DoD humanitarian airdrops contributes to ongoing U.S. government efforts to provide life-saving humanitarian assistance to the people in Gaza. We are conducting planning for potential follow-on airborne aid delivery missions.

These airdrops are part of a sustained effort to get more aid into Gaza, including by expanding the flow of aid through land corridors and routes.

Source: United States Airforce Central Command

SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, South Carolina —  

SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, South Carolina —The 609th Air Support Squadron hosted 35 U.S. Navy Sailors and U.S. Marines during a Joint Air Operations Workshop, Feb. 2, 2024, at Shaw Air Force Base’s Air Operations Center.

The workshop provided Air Force and Navy Reservists assigned to Naval and Amphibious Liaison Element Headquarters unit and 710th Combat Operations Squadron with a better understanding of exercise planning in support of combined and multi-domain exercises and potential real world scenarios within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility.

“This was the first time the 710th Combat Operations Squadron Detachment 1 trained with Navy Reserve counterparts during a drill weekend,” said U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Justin Cooper, 710th COS Det 1 commander.

The workshop consisted of robust table-top and simulated scenarios that tested joint coalition partners across all domains. The scenarios provided 710th COS Det 1 members an opportunity to assess readiness on Master Air Attack Plan functions of naval aviation assets such as the F/A-18 Super Hornet, the EA-18G Growler and the E-2 Hawkeye.

 “This training was unlike workshops in the past” added Cooper, “because our [710th COS Det 1] members were able to train with Navy Reserve counterparts on key functions such as Carrier Deck Cycles and planning naval aviation assets on the Air Tasking Order via the Master Air Attack Plan.”.

U.S. Navy Capt. Jan Ketchum, Naval and Amphibious Liaison Element headquarters commanding officer, explained that the event allowed the AFCENT and NALE teams to share their expertise.

“The Navy Reservists brought realism to the planning process with their experience in Carrier Strike Group flight operations and Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Aircraft missions,” said Ketchum. “And Det 1 U.S. Air Force Reservists were able to show us hands on how AFCENT is moving forward with the Kessel Run All-Domain Operations Suite of tools for joint air planning.”

“This was a stepping stone in the integration of Navy Reserve units involved in the operational level of war to coordinate with their respective joint components,” Ketchum added. “A great event for Navy and Air Force readiness.”

Sailors, Marines, and Airmen gained valuable knowledge ahead of future integrated air and missile defense exercises, which focus on skills surrounding operational procedures between air and naval elements at the Combined Air Operations Center at Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar.

Cooper said, “These exercises allow the 710th COS Det 1 Airmen to complete mission qualification and continuation training for the 609th AOC while familiarizing themselves with the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility.”

The Joint Air Operations Workshop is a step in a series of training opportunities that better prepares the joint warfighter for interoperability on the battlefield.

Source: United States Airforce Central Command

U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Sam Kennedy, the bass guitarist of the AFCENT Band, plays jazz music for Airmen assigned to the 378th Airlift Wing, at Prince Sultan Air Force Base, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, May 9, 2022. The band visited PSAB for a three-day four-gig tour, playing for the 378th Air Expeditionary Wing, at Prince Sultan Air Force Base, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, May 9, 2022. The band visited PSAB for a three-day four-gig tour, playing for the 378th AEW change of command ceremony, a ‘Jazz & Lattes’ night, a ‘Rock/Pop/Country’ night, and a ‘Sing with the Band’ karaoke night, May 9-11. Their mission is to bring a bit of home across the world to deployed troops in the Ninth Air Force’s area of responsibility. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Noah J. Tancer)

Source: United States Airforce Central Command

KING ABDULAZIZ AIR BASE, Saudi Arabia —  

Ninth Air Force (Air Forces Central)’s KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft and experts across the fields of command and control, security forces, and other critical operations deployed to the Royal Saudi Air Force’s Spears of Victory exercise Feb. 4-15, at King Abdulaziz Air Base.

Spears of Victory includes eight countries and is one of the largest multinational exercises hosted by a U.S. partner in the region. The exercise provides opportunities to develop tactical proficiency, improve interoperability, strengthen military relationships and increase flexibility to address existing and emerging threats.

The multilateral exercise builds confidence by familiarizing operators with a wide array of aircraft in various contingency scenarios.

“Exercises like Spears of Victory are critical to ensuring we can best protect our respective countries and provide regional stability,” said U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. David Mineau, 9th Air Force (Air Forces Central) and Deputy Combined Forces Air Component Commander. “We are thankful to our Royal Saudi Air Force partners for hosting an incredible hands-on training opportunity where we can improve how we work together and our ability to confront any challenge.”

Imagery from Spears of Victory will be publicly available through the Defense Visual Information Distribution Service at https://www.dvidshub.net/unit/AFCENT.

Source: United States Airforce Central Command

U.S. Air Force Col. Andy Ladd, 9th Air Force (Air Forces Central) director for Strategy and Theater Security Cooperation, speaks with Laura Cressey, Director for Regional Security and Arms Transfers (RSAT), U.S. Department of State, during the Saudi World Defense Show near Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Feb. 5, 2024. RSAT is a key link between the Departments of State and Defense, interfacing with the Office of the Secretary of Defense, Joint Staff and the Combatant Commands on regional security issues. The U.S.’s commitment of personnel and aircraft to the Saudi World Defense Show highlights the importance of continued defense cooperation between allies and partners with a shared vision for enduring peace and stability in the region. (U.S. Air Force photo)

Source: United States Airforce Central Command

U.S. Air Force Col. Andy Ladd, 9th Air Force (Air Forces Central) director for Strategy and Theater Security Cooperation, speaks with Laura Cressey, Director for Regional Security and Arms Transfers, U.S. Department of State, during the Saudi World Defense Show near Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Feb. 5, 2024. Cressey took time to visit service members supporting the Saudi World Defense Show, and recognized them for their contribution to strengthening ties with allies and partners throughout the region. The U.S.’s commitment of personnel and aircraft to the Saudi World Defense Show highlights the importance of continued defense cooperation between allies and partners with a shared vision for enduring peace and stability in the region. (U.S. Air Force courtesy photo)

Source: United States Airforce Central Command

A Royal Air Force member, left, performs alongside an Airman assigned to the U.S. Air Forces Central Band for a multinational audience at the Saudi World Defense Show near Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Feb. 7, 2024. The AFCENT Band travels throughout Central and Southwest Asia performing community outreach concerts, school assemblies, military functions and diplomatic events hosted by the United States Embassies and their ambassadors. The U.S. values its shared commitment and close cooperation with Saudi Arabia, coalition allies, and partners, which has enhanced the collective ability to counter a range of regional threats as a unified fighting force. (U.S. Air Force courtesy photo)