Category: US CENTCOM

Source: United States Central Command (CENTCOM)

May 6, 2024
Release Number 20240506 – 01
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

TAMPA, Fla. – At approximately 10:47 a.m. (Sanaa time) on May 6, 2024, U.S. Central Command (USCENTCOM) forces successfully engaged and destroyed one uncrewed aerial system (UAS) launched by Iranian-backed Houthi terrorists over the Red Sea.  

It was determined the UAS presented an imminent threat to U.S., 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 5, 2024
Release Number 20240505 – 02
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

TAMPA, Fla. — U.S. Central Command (USCENTCOM) conducted a humanitarian assistance airdrop into Northern Gaza on May 5 at 12:05 p.m. (Gaza time) to provide essential relief to civilians in Gaza affected by the ongoing conflict. 

The joint operation included two C-130 U.S. Air Force aircraft. The U.S. C-130s dropped over 25,000 Meals Ready to Eat (MREs), providing life-saving humanitarian assistance in Northern Gaza. To date the U.S. has dropped nearly 1,170 tons of humanitarian assistance. 

During today’s mission seven bundles landed in the sea. USCENTCOM does not assess civilian harm or damage to infrastructure at this time but continues to monitor the situation.

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 5, 2024
Release Number 20240505 – 01
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

YANBU, Saudi Arabia — The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), the United Arab Emirates, and U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Central Command (USMARCENT) launched Exercise NATIVE FURY 24 (NF 24) at a Saudi Naval Port on May 5, 2024.

In its 8th iteration, NF24 will showcase U.S. and partner forces engaging in on-load and off-load operations using commercial maritime shipping, long-distance convoys, urban combat training, and various dynamic training events in both Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

More than 600 U.S. Marines, sailors, soldiers, and airmen from 2d Marine Logistics Group, Marine Corps Forces Reserve, 1st Theater Sustainment Command, U.S. 5th Fleet, 378th and 380th AEW, and partner nations will participate in this iteration of Native Fury. Exercise Native Fury 24 occurs simultaneously with multiple other CENTCOM-sponsored exercises across the region, such as Exercise Eager Lion, Exercise Indigo Defender, and Exercise Iron Union.

The constellation of exercises happening in multiple countries at once demonstrates USCENTCOM’s capability to project power abroad and conduct advanced training in cooperation with our partners across the region. The primary objective of Exercise Native Fury is to enhance interoperability with our partners and collectively strengthen our ability to plan and execute complex and realistic operations across multiple domains.

Native Fury aims to underscore the interoperability of combined forces in conducting large-scale and intricate operations, utilizing the Trans-Arabian Network (TAN). NF24 represents a significant milestone in the U.S. military’s collaboration with the Royal Saudi Armed Forces and United Arab Emirates Armed Forces, demonstrating the positive outcomes of sustained cooperation.

Facilitated by the U.S. Army’s 1st Theater Sustainment Command (1 TSC), the exercise will utilize a Saudi port facility in the Red Sea, KSA Prince Sultan Air Base, Al Dhafra Air Base in the UAE, and a UAE port facility in the Gulf of Oman.

Visual information and journalism content of Exercise NF24 will be published on the USMARCENT Defense Visual Information Distribution Service (DVIDS) page at https://www.dvidshub.net/unit/MARCENT.

For queries pertaining to Exercise NF 24, please contact MARCENT Communication Strategy and Operations office marcentcommstrat@usmc.mil. All other queries on regional topics outside of the context of NF22, please contact USCENTCOM Public Affairs office at centcom.macdill.centcom-hq.mbx.ccci-media-desk@mail.mil.

Source: United States Central Command (CENTCOM)

May 03, 2024
Release Number 20240503-01
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

TAMPA, Fla. – Yesterday, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) temporarily paused offshore assembly of the floating pier in the vicinity of Gaza due to sea state considerations. Forecasted high winds and high sea swells caused unsafe conditions for Soldiers working on the surface of the partially constructed pier. The partially built pier and military vessels involved in its construction have moved to the Port of Ashdod, where assembly will continue, and will be completed prior to the emplacement of the pier in its intended location when sea states subside.

Once in place, the temporary pier in Gaza will allow for the delivery of additional humanitarian aid to Palestinian civilians in need. This temporary pier, part of the U.S. military’s Joint Logistics Over-the-Shore (JLOTS) capability, enables the delivery of large quantities of humanitarian aid from ship to shore by truck, with vehicles driving directly off ships and across the temporary pier to a marshaling yard ashore. Humanitarian aid will be offloaded in the shore facility before being transferred to humanitarian partners for onward distribution inside Gaza. 

The maritime corridor between Cyprus and Gaza facilitates international humanitarian assistance deliveries by sea. The U.S. military’s unique JLOTS capability provides an essential logistics enabler for the multinational effort to increase the supply of humanitarian aid to Gaza by all routes.

Source: United States Central Command (CENTCOM)

May 2, 2024

Release Number 20240502 – 02

IMMEDIATE RELEASE

TAMPA, Fla. – At approximately 2:00 p.m. (Sanaa time) on May 2, 2024, U.S. Central Command (USCENTCOM) forces successfully engaged and destroyed three uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) in an Iranian-backed Houthi controlled area of Yemen.

It was determined these systems presented an imminent threat to U.S., 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 2, 2024
Release Number 20240502-01
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

TAMPA, Fla. – On May 3, 2023, the United States conducted a unilateral counterterrorism air strike in Northwest Syria targeting a senior Al Qaeda leader. Soon after the air strike, reports surfaced the strike may have resulted in a civilian casualty.

Following initial reviews by subordinate elements, General Michael Erik Kurilla, Commander, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), directed Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve (CJTF – OIR) to conduct a joint investigation on 6 June 2023 in accordance with Army Regulation 15- 6.

The investigation, which concluded on November 15, 2023, was conducted by Investigating Officer, Brigadier General John P. Cogbill, U.S. Army, and supported by a team of ten senior service members and civilian employees not directly involved with the strike with extensive subject matter expertise in intelligence, law of armed conflict, operations, and targeting matters.

The investigative team received both cognitive bias training and red team training. The team conducted site visits in the United States, Iraq, and Jordan, and interviewed more than forty witnesses. The investigative team also sought information from non-governmental organizations (NGOs). The team reviewed classified and unclassified information held by DoD and other federal agencies.

The investigation determined U.S. forces misidentified the intended Al Qaeda target and that a civilian, Mr. Lufti Hasan Masto (Masto), was struck and killed instead. Many of the facts and other findings of the investigation involve classified information and cannot be shared publicly. What we can share is the investigation concluded the strike was conducted in compliance with the law of armed conflict as well as Department of Defense and CENTCOM policies. However, the investigation revealed several issues that could be improved. We are committed to learning from this incident and improving our targeting processes to mitigate potential civilian harm.

U.S. Central Command acknowledges and regrets the civilian harm that resulted from the airstrike. We take all reports of civilian harm caused by U.S. military operations seriously and continue to employ thorough and deliberate targeting and strike processes to minimize civilian harm. This process includes a thorough review and vetting of lawful targets prior to a strike and another review after each strike. CENTCOM is fully engaged in implementing the objectives in the Civilian Harm Mitigation and Response Action Plan (CHMR-AP) and the DoD Instruction (DoDI) 3000.17, titled “Civilian Harm Mitigation and Response.”

Source: United States Central Command (CENTCOM)

April 30, 2024

Release Number 20240430 – 02

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

TAMPA, Fla. – At approximately 1:52 p.m. (Sanaa time) on April 30, U.S. Central Command (USCENTCOM) forces successfully engaged and destroyed an uncrewed surface vessel (USV) in Iranian-backed Houthi terrorist-controlled areas of Yemen.

It was determined the USV presented an imminent threat to U.S., 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)

April 30, 2024

Release Number 20240430 – 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 April 30, 2024, at 1:40 p.m. (Gaza time) to provide essential relief to civilians in Gaza affected by the ongoing conflict.

The combined joint operation included U.S. and Jordanian provided food and three C-130 U.S. Air Force aircraft. The U.S. C-130s dropped over 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 nearly 1140 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)

April 29, 2024

Release Number 20240429-01
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

TAMPA, Fla. – Between 10:00 a.m. and 5:20 p.m. (Sanaa time) on April 29, Iranian-backed Houthi terrorists fired three anti-ship ballistic missiles (ASBM) and three UAVs from Yemen into the Red Sea towards MV Cyclades, a Malta-flagged, Greece-owned vessel. Initial reports indicate there were no injuries and the vessel continued on its way.

Earlier, at 7:49 a.m., U.S. Central Command (USCENTCOM) forces successfully engaged and destroyed one Houthi launched airborne unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) on a flight path towards USS Philippine Sea and USS Laboon in the Red Sea. There were no injuries or damages reported by U.S., coalition, or merchant vessels.

It was determined the UAV presented an imminent threat to U.S., coalition, 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)

April 28, 2024

Release Number 20240428-02
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

TAMPA, Fla. – Between 1:48 and 2:27 a.m. (Sanaa time), April 28, U.S. Central Command (USCENTCOM) successfully engaged five airborne unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) over the Red Sea.

It was determined the UAVs presented an imminent threat to U.S., coalition, 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.