Category: US CENTCOM

Source: United States Central Command (CENTCOM)

Jan. 30, 2024

Release Number 20240130 – 01

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

TAMPA, Fla. – On Jan. 30, at approximately 11:30 p.m. (Sanaa time), Iranian-backed Houthi militants fired one anti-ship cruise missile from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen toward the Red Sea. The missile was successfully shot down by USS Gravely (DDG 107). There were no injuries or damage reported.

Source: United States Central Command (CENTCOM)

Kuwait City, Kuwait  –  

The Kuwait Naval Force, Kuwait Coast Guard, U.S Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT), and U.S. Marine Corps Forces Central Command (MARCENT) have joined forces in Exercise Eager Defender 24, a bilateral maritime drill aimed at strengthening mutual interoperability and capabilities. This exercise, led by Task Force 51/5th Marine Expeditionary Brigade (TF 51/5), taking place in Kuwait and the North Arabian Gulf from January 28 to February 7, showcases the commitment of both nations to regional security and readiness.

Under the umbrella of Exercise Eager Defender, U.S. Marines, Sailors and Soldiers are participating alongside their Kuwaiti counterparts in joint training. The exercise focuses on enhancing various aspects, including maritime security, visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS), harbor security, unmanned systems operations, small unit naval infantry tactics, and joint command and control operations, culminating with a combined multinational amphibious assault. Through collaborative training, participating forces will acquire the necessary skills to effectively address regional security threats and increase interoperability between both militaries.

Exercise Eager Defender serves as a testament to the enduring partnership between the United States and Kuwait. It demonstrates the commitment of both nations to reinforcing partnerships and interoperability in the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) area of responsibility. This exercise is one of several annual joint exercises where the U.S. military collaborates with partner nations, ensuring high levels of readiness for crisis and contingency.

“Exercise Eager Defender highlights our shared commitment to regional security and the preservation of peace,” said Brig. Gen. Matthew Reid, Commanding General of TF 51/5. “By working together, the Kuwait Armed Forces and U.S. military are strengthening our capabilities and preparedness. This exercise is a testament to the enduring partnership between our nations.”

Exercise Eager Defender reaffirms the strong bond between the Kuwait Armed Forces and the U.S. military. By fostering cooperation and mutual understanding, this exercise further enhances the ability of both nations to respond effectively to security challenges in the region.

Source: United States Central Command (CENTCOM)

Jan. 28, 2024

Release Number 20240128-02

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

TAMPA, Fla. – On Jan. 28, three U.S. service members were killed, and multiple personnel were injured from a one-way attack UAS that impacted on a base in northeast Jordan, near the Syrian border. As an update to the earlier announcement, the number of U.S. personnel with injuries has increased to at least 34 service members, but we expect this number to fluctuate as service members continue to seek follow-on care. Eight personnel that received injuries required evacuation from Jordan to higher level care, but they are in stable condition. All other service members are being fully evaluated for follow-on care.

The attack occurred at the logistics support base located at Tower 22 of the Jordanian Defense Network. There are approximately 350 U.S. Army and Air Force personnel deployed to the base, conducting a number of key support functions, including support to the coalition for the lasting defeat of ISIS.

As a matter of respect for the families and in accordance with DoD policy, the identities of the service members will be withheld until 24 hours after their next of kin have been notified. U.S. Central Command will continue to provide updates as they become available.

Source: United States Central Command (CENTCOM)

Jan. 28, 2024
Release Number 20240128-01
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

TAMPA, Fla. – On Jan. 28, three U.S. service members were killed and 25 injured from a one-way attack UAS that impacted at a base in northeast Jordan, near the Syria border.
As a matter of respect for the families and in accordance with DoD policy, the identities of the servicemembers will be withheld until 24 hours after their next of kin have been notified.
Updates will be provided as they become available.
-30-

Source: United States Central Command (CENTCOM)

Jan. 27, 2024

Release Number 20240127-01

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

TAMPA, Fla. – Yesterday, the Iranian-backed Houthis struck the Marshall Islands-flagged, Bermuda-owned M/V Marlin Luanda with an Anti-Ship Ballistic Missile (ASBM) in the Gulf of Aden. Marlin Luanda is transporting for commercial use a cargo of Naphtha, a highly flammable liquid hydrogen mixture. Following the missile strike, a major fire ensued in one of the cargo holds. USS Carney (DDG 64), the French Navy Frigate FS Alsace (D656) and Indian Navy Frigate INS Visakhapatnam (DD66) all responded quickly, providing critical firefighting material and assistance to the civilian crew, who had depleted their organic firefighting capability. The multinational crew, the lives of which the Houthis endangered, was made up of 22 Indian and 1 Bangladeshi crew members.

Thanks to this rapid response by the U.S., Indian and French navies, the fire is now extinguished. There were no casualties in the attack, the ship remains seaworthy, and has returned to its previous course.

Many thanks to our Combined Maritime Forces partners for their great teamwork at sea, averting a disaster that threatened lives and the seaworthiness of the ship and risked major environmental damage.

These unlawful actions have nothing to do with the conflict in Gaza. Neither the vessel nor its crew have any affiliation to Israel. The Houthis have fired indiscriminately into the Red Sea, targeting vessels impacting over 40 countries around the world.

Source: United States Central Command (CENTCOM)

TAMPA, Fla. – On Jan. 27 at approximately 3:45 a.m. (Sanaa time), U.S. Central Command Forces conducted a strike against a Houthi anti-ship missile aimed into the Red Sea and which was prepared to launch. U.S. Forces identified the missile in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen, and determined it presented an imminent threat to merchant vessels and the U.S. Navy ships in the region. U.S. Forces subsequently struck and destroyed the missile in self-defense. This action will protect freedom of navigation and make international waters safer and more secure for U.S. Navy vessels and merchant vessels.

Source: United States Central Command (CENTCOM)

Jan. 26, 2024

Release Number 20240126-02

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

TAMPA, Fla. – On Jan. 26, at approximately 7:45 p.m. (Sanaa time), Iranian-backed Houthi terrorists fired one anti-ship ballistic missile from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen and struck the Marshall Islands-flagged oil tanker M/V Marlin Luanda. The ship issued a distress call and reported damage. USS Carney (DDG 64) and other coalition ships have responded and are rendering assistance. No injuries have been reported at this time.

Source: United States Central Command (CENTCOM)

Jan. 26, 2024
Release Number 20240126-01
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

TAMPA, Fla. – On Jan. 26, at approximately 1:30 p.m. (Sanaa time), Iranian-backed Houthi militants fired one anti-ship ballistic missile from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen toward Arleigh-Burke class destroyer USS Carney (DDG 64) in the Gulf of Aden. The missile was successfully shot down by USS Carney. There
were no injuries or damage reported.

Source: United States Central Command (CENTCOM)

MANAMA, Bahrain   –  

On Jan. 11, the Combined Maritime Forces welcomed Ecuador as the 40th member of the world’s largest maritime security partnership.

“Ecuador joining CMF only makes us stronger,” said Vice Adm. Brad Cooper, CMF commander. “This growing international naval coalition benefits mightily from having Ecuadorians standing shoulder-to-shoulder with other CMF nations, dedicated to maritime security and stability in the Middle East region, and protecting some of the world’s most important waterways. I look forward to being ‘Ready Together’ with such maritime professionals.”

CMF is comprised of a headquarters staff and five combined task forces focusing on defeating terrorism, preventing piracy, encouraging regional cooperation, and promoting a safe maritime environment. The naval partnership upholds the international rules-based order by supporting security and stability across 3.2 million square miles of water encompassing some of the world’s most important shipping lanes.

Source: United States Central Command (CENTCOM)

MANAMA, Bahrain   –  

A U.S. Coast Guard cutter operating under the French-led Combined Task Force 150 of the Combined Maritime Forces seized about $11 million worth of illegal drugs from a vessel while operating in the international waters of the Gulf of Oman, Jan. 5.

Coast Guardsmen from the Sentinel-class fast response cutter USCGC Emlen Tunnell (WPC 1145), seized 37 kilograms of heroin, 187 kilograms of methamphetamine and five kilograms of cocaine from the vessel following a search. Following the seizure, the Emlen Tunnell team released the dhow and disposed of the illicit drugs.

Prior to the seizure, while in support to CTF 150, Royal Navy frigate HMS Lancaster gathered intelligence on the dhow, which had been identified as a vessel of interest. Information including imagery and location of the dhow was shared with the Emlen Tunnell and the French maritime patrol aircraft Wallaby, which allowed the Emlen Tunnell to track and execute the interdiction.

This interdiction marked the first seizure of the year for CTF 150 and follows on from a highly successful 2023, with 12 drug busts since the French assumed command in July 2023.

This latest seizure for CTF 150 demonstrated the value of CMF nations working together to share information, leading to another successful narcotics seizure.

CTF 150 is one of five task forces under Combined Maritime Forces, the world’s largest multinational naval partnership, and focuses on maritime security operations in the Gulf of Oman, Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean.

The 39-nation naval partnership is committed to disrupting criminal and terrorist activities by restricting freedom of maneuver across approximately 3.2 million square miles of international waters encompassing some of the world’s most important shipping lanes.

Since 2021, Combined Maritime Forces has seized more than $1 billion in illegal drugs while patrolling waters across the Middle East.