Category: US Central Command

Source: United States Central Command (CENTCOM)

Feb. 12, 2024

Release Number 20240212

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

TAMPA, Fla. – On Feb. 12 from 3:30 to 3:45 a.m. (Sanaa time), Iranian-backed Houthi militants fired two missiles from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen toward the Bab al-Mandeb. Both missiles were launched toward MV Star Iris, a Greek-owned, Marshall Islands-flagged cargo vessel transiting the Red Sea carrying corn from Brazil. 

The ship reports being seaworthy with minor damage and no injuries to the crew. Of note, the MV Star Iris’s destination is Bandar Iman Khomeini, Iran.

Source: United States Central Command (CENTCOM)

Feb. 11. 2024
Release Number 20240211 -01
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

TAMPA, Fla. – On Feb. 10, between the hours of 4-5 p.m. (Sanaa time), U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) forces successfully conducted self-defense strikes against two unmanned surface vessels (USV) and three mobile anti-ship cruise missiles (ASCM) north of Al Hudaydah, Yemen, that were prepared to launch against ships in the Red Sea.

CENTCOM identified these USVs and missiles in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen and determined they presented an imminent threat to U.S. Navy ships and merchant vessels in the region. These actions will protect freedom of navigation and make international waters safer and more secure for U.S. Navy and merchant vessels.

Source: United States Central Command (CENTCOM)

Feb. 10, 2024

Release Number 20240210

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

TAMPA, Fla. – On Feb. 9, between the hours of 3 a.m. – 9:40 p.m. (Sanaa time), U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) forces conducted self-defense strikes against two mobile unmanned surface vessels (USV), four mobile anti-ship cruise missiles, and one mobile land attack cruise missile (LACM) that were prepared to launch against ships in the Red Sea.

CENTCOM identified these missiles and USVs in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen and determined they presented an imminent threat to U.S. Navy ships and merchant vessels in the region. These actions will protect freedom of navigation and make international waters safer and more secure for U.S. Navy and merchant vessels.

Source: United States Central Command (CENTCOM)

Feb. 9, 2024
Release Number 20240209 – 02
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

TAMPA, Fla. – In January, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) hand-selected 15 coders from across the Department of Defense to participate in a “critical mission” hackathon called SANDTRAP. This hackathon focused on data and software challenges related to countering one-way unmanned aerial systems (cUAS), a mission that is critically important to the protection of U.S. and partner forces in CENTCOM’s area of responsibility. The SANDTRAP hackathon served as a special event within the BRAVO series, a DoD-wide recurring hackathon. 

Over the course of the week-long hackathon, the coders built prototypes to improve speed and accuracy of cUAS processes. By hosting coders at headquarters, CENTCOM subject matter experts were able to fully integrate with the hacking teams and pave the way for capability transitions out of the hackathon.   

“For mission sets as critical as countering one-way UAS attacks, U.S. Central Command is committed to leveraging every talented individual, technical solution, and innovative process available. The SANDTRAP hackathon combined all three: exceptional coders, brilliant software prototypes, and a repeatable process that can give us creative solutions in the future. The Command will continue to hold hackathon events going forward that will help us get after our most critical operational problem sets,” said Schuyler Moore, Chief Technology Officer at CENTCOM. 

“Our strategic approach–summarized by ‘People, Partners, and Innovation,’ is successful when we give team members a chance to bring new and creative solutions to the table,” said General Michael Erik Kurilla, CENTCOM Commander. “The SANDTRAP hackathon provided that opportunity, and future hackathons will drive better solutions to critical missions and advance data-centric warfighting for the Command.” 

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Source: United States Central Command (CENTCOM)

TAMPA, Fla. – From Jan. 29 to Feb. 1, Gen. Michael Erik Kurilla, commander of U.S. Central Command, traveled to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and the Kingdom of Bahrain to meet with key partners.

Source: United States Central Command (CENTCOM)

Feb. 8, 2024
Release Number 20240208 – 02
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

TAMPA, Fla. – On Feb. 8, between the hours of 5 a.m. – 9 p.m. (Sanaa time), U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) forces conducted seven self-defense strikes against four Houthi unmanned surface vessels (USV) and seven mobile anti-ship cruise missiles that were prepared to launch against ships in the Red Sea.

CENTCOM identified these missiles and USVs in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen and determined they presented an imminent threat to U.S. Navy ships and merchant vessels in the region. These actions will protect freedom of navigation and make international waters safer and more secure for U.S. Navy and merchant vessels.

Source: United States Central Command (CENTCOM)

Feb. 8, 2024
Release Number 20240208 – 01
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

TAMPA, Fla. – On Feb. 7, at approximately 9:00 p.m. (Sanaa time), U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) forces conducted self-defense strikes against two Houthi mobile anti-ship cruise missiles prepared to launch against ships in the Red Sea.

Later that day at 11:30 p.m. (Sanaa time), CENTCOM forces conducted a second strike against a Houthi mobile land attack cruise missile prepared to launch.

CENTCOM identified these missiles in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen and determined they presented an imminent threat to U.S. Navy ships and merchant vessels in the region. These actions will protect freedom of navigation and make international waters safer and more secure for U.S. Navy and merchant vessels.

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Source: United States Central Command (CENTCOM)

February 07, 2024
Release Number 20240207-01
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

TAMPA, Fla. – At 9:30 p.m. (Baghdad time)  February 7, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) forces conducted a unilateral strike in Iraq in response to the attacks on U.S. service members, killing a Kata’ib Hezbollah commander responsible for directly planning and participating in attacks on U.S. forces in the region.

There are no indications of collateral damage or civilian casualties at this time. The United States will continue to take necessary action to protect our people. We will not hesitate to hold responsible all those who threaten our forces’ safety.

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Source: United States Central Command (CENTCOM)

TAMPA, Fla. - On Feb. 6, from approximately 1:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Arabia Standard Time) Iranian-backed Houthi militants fired six anti-ship ballistic missiles (ASBM) from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen toward the Southern Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.

Three of the ASBMs were attempting to hit M/V Star Nasia, a Marshall Island-flagged, Greek owned-and-operated bulk carrier transiting the Gulf of Aden. At approximately 3:20 a.m., M/V Star Nasia reported an explosion near the ship causing minor damage but no injuries. At 2 p.m. another missile impacted the water near the ship with no effect. At 4:30 p.m., USS Laboon (DDG 58), operating near M/V Star Nasia, intercepted and shot down a third anti-ship ballistic missile fired by the Iranian-backed Houthis. M/V Star Nasia remains seaworthy and is continuing toward its destination.

The remaining three ASBMs were likely targeting M/V Morning Tide, a Barbados-flagged, UK-owned cargo ship operating in the Southern Red Sea. The three missiles impacted the water near the ship without effect. M/V Morning Tide is continuing its journey and is reporting no injuries or damage.

Source: United States Central Command (CENTCOM)

Feb. 5, 2024

Release Number 20240205-02

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

TAMPA, Fla. – On Feb. 5, at approximately 3:30 p.m. (Sanaa time), U.S. Central Command forces conducted a strike in self-defense against two Houthi explosive uncrewed surface vehicles (USV).

U.S. forces identified the explosive USVs in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen and determined they presented an imminent threat to U.S. Navy ships and merchant vessels in the region. These actions will protect freedom of navigation and make international waters safer and more secure for U.S. Navy vessels and merchant vessels.