Category: US CENTCOM

Source: United States Central Command (CENTCOM)

Yanbu, Saudi Arabia – The day-to-day life of a security forces reserve Marine is varied to the individual, however, what they all have in common is no matter the clime or place they can quickly adapt and be a positive reinforcement of the world’s most elite fighting force.

U.S. Marines with Delta Company, 4th Law Enforcement Battalion (4th LEB), Force Headquarters Group, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Reserve, first deployed to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in April 2024 to provide security to Marines, Sailors, Soldiers, and their assets participating in support of Exercise Native Fury 24. Delta Company’s mission is to provide inner perimeter security for initial staging and logistics areas in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in support of 2nd Distribution Support Battalion, Combat Logistics Regiment 2, 2nd Marine Logistics Group (MLG) and to provide security alongside Saudi and Emirati forces throughout the exercise as it progresses from Kingdom Saudi Arabia to the United Arab Emirates.

Coming from austere regions of Alaska and Montana, Marines from 4th LEB had to quickly adapt to the significant temperature adjustments when they traveled to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Known as the “Alaska Marines,” their journey to Exercise Native Fury 24 is almost as noteworthy as the exercise itself. U.S. Marines with 4th LEB from across Alaska, Montana, and other states traveled more than four days across the planet to execute their mission. In the case of some Marines, that journey begins with a bush-plane ride to the nearest regional airport and then onward to international flights, destination, Saudi Arabia.

These Reserves Marines are used to an environment of cold and snowy landscapes; therefore, it was quite a shock to them when they were providing support for the biennial exercise in an environment with temperatures stretching beyond 100 degrees in the peak desert heat.

Exercise Native Fury 24 is a key multi-lateral exercise that emphasizes the strategic use of logistics across the Arabian Peninsula, while maintaining and building partner relationships between the U.S. Marine Corps Forces Central Command, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.

2nd MLG is “relying on us completely to support them and provide security for them as well, which we really value the trust that they have given us,” said U.S. Marine Corps 1stSgt Jason Brice, senior enlisted advisor of Delta Company, 4th LEB “that’s huge for us, and we’re using that trust going forward and doing everything we can as Marines.”

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. John Tidwell, a military police officer with 4th LEB, explains, “it was a pretty extreme transition but, we have taken a lot of precautions to transition properly,” he continues, “I feel like we are getting used to it, rolling with it, and getting better.”

The Marines within Delta Company are primarily comprised of military police officers, who are a part of 24/7 operations that guard entry control points, observation posts, and convoys.

Tidwell explains, “I take my duty of providing security really seriously, it is a lot of responsibility, but a responsibility I am happy to take and do well in, because this is what I trained for.”

The integration of 4th LEB and 2nd DSB demonstrates the ability of Marines and Sailors to cohesively operate together, showcasing the “one team, one fight” mentality.

Source: United States Central Command (CENTCOM)

TAMPA, Fla. – At approximately 3:30 a.m.(Sanaa time) on May 12, U.S. Central Command (USCENTCOM) forces successfully destroyed one uncrewed aerial system (UAS) launched by Iranian-backed Houthis over the Gulf of Aden from Houthi controlled areas in Yemen. There were no injuries or damages reported by U.S., coalition, or merchant vessels.

It was determined the UAS presented an imminent threat to both coalition forces and merchant vessels in the region. These actions are taken to protect freedom of navigation and make international waters safer and more secure for U.S., coalition, and merchant vessels.

Source: United States Central Command (CENTCOM)

May 12, 2024
Release Number 20240512 – 01
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

TAMPA, Fla. – Exercise Eager Lion 24 officially began today with an opening ceremony held at the King Abdullah II Special Operations Training Center (KASOTC), Amman, Jordan. This is the 11th iteration of the exercise, which is held every other year in Jordan and is a testament to 75 years of U.S.-Jordan relations which we commemorate this year. In addition to Jordan and the United States, 32 other partner nations will participate or observe in the exercise, which concludes May 23, 2024.

Eager Lion is one of the largest military exercises in the U.S. Central Command (USCENTCOM) area of responsibility, hosted by one of the command’s strongest and most reliable partners. The exercise is designed to exchange military expertise and improve interoperability among partner nations.

“Eager Lion demonstrates the value of working together to maintain a ready and responsive force that truly demonstrates we are prepared to respond together in times of crisis,” said U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Jason Benson, USCENTCOM’s director for Eager Lion 2024. “Participating in Eager Lion demonstrates our shared commitment to improving interoperability with our partners. It also demonstrates that our coalition force can maintain a sufficient and sustainable presence in the region. It delivers a clear message that relationships matter.”

Exercise Eager Lion is the most important exercise between the U.S. military and the Jordanian Armed Forces. The exercise underscores the United States’ commitment to partners in the Middle East in our joint defense against hybrid threats by state and non-state actors.

Eager Lion 24 will focus on training participating partners on cooperation and interoperability between military and interagency organizations. This year’s scenario will address regional challenges across air, land, sea and cyber domains, as well as support of multinational disaster response operations and humanitarian aid assistance. Participants will work with civil authorities responsible for critical national infrastructure protection, train on cyber defense and maritime security, practice operations in a chemically contaminated environment, and rehearse integrated logistics maneuvers. The exercise will train participants to prepare against cyber threats from fictitious adversaries, advance development of partnered counterterrorism skills, expand Integrated Air and Missile Defense synchronization, and sharpen proficiencies in maritime and border security.

The exercise will also include a field training exercise with a combined-arms live-fire exercise, command post exercise, and a senior leader seminar to facilitate information sharing at tactical and strategic levels.

The U.S. military participates in more than 80 exercises with partner nations in the USCENTCOM area of responsibility each year. Exercises in the region are designed to strengthen military-to-military relationships, promote regional security, and improve interoperability with partner nations.

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Source: United States Central Command (CENTCOM)

May 11, 2024
Release Number 20240511 – 02
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

TAMPA, Fla. – At approximately 8:45 p.m. (Sanaa time) on May 10, Iranian-backed Houthis launched an uncrewed aerial system (UAS) over the Gulf of Aden from Houthi controlled areas in Yemen. A coalition aircraft successfully engaged the UAS. There were no injuries or damages reported by U.S., coalition, or merchant vessels.

Later, between approximately 4:30 a.m. and 4:45 a.m. (Sanaa time) on May 11, U.S. Central Command (USCENTCOM) forces successfully destroyed three UAS launched by Iranian-backed Houthis over the Red Sea from Houthi controlled areas in Yemen. There were no injuries or damages reported by U.S., coalition, or merchant vessels.

It was determined that these UAS presented an imminent threat to both coalition forces and merchant vessels in the region. These actions are taken to protect freedom of navigation and make international waters safer and more secure for U.S., coalition, and merchant vessels.

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Source: United States Central Command (CENTCOM)

May 11, 2024
Release Number 20240511 – 01
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

TAMPA, Fla. – From May 9-10 Gen. Michael Erik Kurilla, commander of U.S. Central Command, traveled to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to meet with leaders of the Saudi Royal Armed Forces and senior U.S. diplomats. The visit is part of an ongoing multi-country trip to the CENTCOM area of responsibility.

While in Saudi Arabia, Gen. Kurilla engaged with Chief of General Staff, Gen. Fayyadh al-Ruwaili and other Saudi senior military leaders. The leaders discussed shared regional security concerns, the status of humanitarian assistance into the Gaza Strip, and further opportunities to partner on innovation of defensive technologies.

Gen. Kurilla also met with the U.S. Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Michael Ratney, and the U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Yemen, Steven Fagin. The leaders discussed current security challenges in the region, with particular emphasis on Houthi attacks in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.

“The Royal Saudi Armed Forces are a critical security partner in the region as we address regional security challenges through interoperable organizations and capabilities,” said Gen. Kurilla. “Building on our over seven decades of direct military partnership, we continue to work together to achieve our shared goals.”

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Source: United States Central Command (CENTCOM)

May 09, 2024
Release Number 20240509-02
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

TAMPA, Fla. – U.S. Central Command and the Royal Jordanian Air Force conducted a combined humanitarian assistance airdrop into Northern Gaza on May 9, 2024, at 12:11 p.m. (Gaza time) to provide essential relief to civilians in Gaza affected by the ongoing conflict.

The combined joint operation included three U.S. Air Force C-130 aircraft. The U.S. C-130s dropped more than 25,300 meals ready to eat (MREs), providing life-saving humanitarian assistance in Northern Gaza. Additionally, more than 6,000 pounds of Jordanian food supplies were also delivered. To date the U.S. has dropped approximately 1,220 tons of humanitarian assistance.

The DoD humanitarian airdrops contribute to ongoing U.S. and partner-nation government efforts to alleviate human suffering. These airdrops are part of a sustained effort, and we continue to plan follow-on aerial deliveries.

Source: United States Central Command (CENTCOM)

May 9, 2024
Release Number 20240509-01
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

TAMPA, Fla. – Between May 7 and 9, Gen. Michael Erik Kurilla, commander of United States Central Command, visited Pakistan where he met with Gen. Syed Asim Munir, chief of the Army Staff and other Pakistan Armed Forces senior leaders. Their discussions focused on counter terrorism efforts and the enduring military-to-military partnership between Pakistani and US armed forces.

The leaders also discussed the success of the recent Inspired Union 2024 naval exercise, future opportunities, and the shared role in solving security challenges in the USCENTCOM area of responsibility.

While in the country, Gen. Kurilla traveled to several locations in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province, bordering Afghanistan. There, he met with the leadership of the 11th Corps, Frontier Corps, and 7th Division to discuss the counter terrorism operations along the border.

“The capability, competence, and professionalism of the Pakistan Armed Forces is extraordinary,” said Gen. Kurilla. “I look forward to continuing to strengthen our seven decades plus military-to-miliary partnership.”

 

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Source: United States Central Command (CENTCOM)

May 07, 2024
Release Number 20240507-03
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

TAMPA, Fla. – Between approximately 11:02 p.m. and 11:48 p.m. (Sanaa time) on May 6, Iranian-backed Houthi terrorists launched three uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) over the Gulf of Aden from Houthi controlled areas in Yemen. A coalition ship successfully engaged one UAS, U.S. Central Command (USCENTCOM) forces successfully engaged the second UAS, and the final UAS crashed in the Gulf of Aden. There were no injuries or damages reported by U.S., coalition, or merchant vessels.   

Later, at approximately 5:02 a.m. (Sanaa time) on May 7, Iran-backed Houthi terrorists launched an anti-ship ballistic missile (ASBM) over the Gulf of Aden. There were no injuries or damages reported by U.S., coalition, or merchant vessels.

It was determined that these weapons presented an imminent threat to both coalition forces and merchant vessels in the region. These actions are taken to protect freedom of navigation and make international waters safer and more secure for U.S., coalition, and merchant vessels.

Source: United States Central Command (CENTCOM)

May 07, 2024
Release Number 20240507-02
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

TAMPA, Fla. – Between May 6 and 7, 2024, Gen. Michael Erik Kurilla, Commander of United States Central Command, visited Egypt to gain a deeper understanding of the perspectives of Egyptian military leaders on regional security and the status of humanitarian aid.

While in Cairo, Gen. Kurilla held meetings with Gen. Mohamed Zaki, the Minister of Defense and Military Production, and Lt. Gen. Osama Askar, the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces. The leaders focused their discussions on regional security concerns in Gaza and the Red Sea, alleviating humanitarian suffering in Gaza, and the need to reestablish stability following the current regional conflicts.

“Egypt plays a critical role in regional security and has been instrumental in enabling humanitarian assistance for the people of Gaza,” said Gen. Kurilla. “Meetings like today’s are crucial to building a deeper understanding of the regional challenges and maintaining the relationships necessary to improve security.”

Source: United States Central Command (CENTCOM)

May 07, 2024
Release Number 20240507-01
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

TAMPA, Fla. – U.S. Central Command and the Royal Jordanian Air Force conducted a combined humanitarian assistance airdrop into Northern Gaza on May 7, 2024, at 1:15 p.m. (Gaza time) to provide essential relief to civilians in Gaza affected by the ongoing conflict. 

  The combined joint operation included Jordanian provided food and three U.S. Air Force C-130 aircraft. U.S. C-130’s dropped more than 25,000 Meals Ready to Eat (MREs), providing life-saving humanitarian assistance in Northern Gaza.  Additionally, more than 13,000 meal equivalents of Jordanian food supplies were also delivered. To date the U.S. has dropped 1,200 tons of humanitarian assistance.

The DoD humanitarian airdrops contribute to ongoing U.S. and partner-nation government efforts to alleviate human suffering. These airdrops are part of a sustained effort, and we continue to plan follow-on aerial deliveries.