# U.S. Central Command News

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- 379th AEW modernizes force structure in preparation for AFFOGREN U.S. Central Command Area of Responsibility – The 379th Air Expeditionary Wing held an activation ceremony for the 379th Expeditionary Air Base Group, Apr. 2, 2024.The ceremony marked the merger of the 379th AEW’s medical, maintenance, operations and mission support groups into one cohesive support team.“Today we activated our EABG to be led initially by Col. David Mays – until a few weeks from now when we receive another exceptional leader from the new AFFORGEN model,” said U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Douglas Jackson, 379th AEW commander. “The faces will change, but the values we have championed and the culture we have cultivated will endure.”
- New leadership takes command of the 380th AEW New leadership took command of the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing during a change of command and change of responsibility ceremony April 1, 2024, at an undisclosed location within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. Col. Ronald L. Selvidge Jr. assumed command of the wing from Brig. Gen. Terence G. Taylor, outgoing 380th AEW commander. Chief Master Sgt. J. Stacy Cutshaw also took responsibility as the wing’s new command chief, replacing Command Chief Master Sgt. Christopher Murphy. “I have been waiting for this day; I have been anticipating it. I am excited about the new challenge,” said Selvidge.
- Italy Takes Command of International Red Sea Task Force The U.S. Navy turned over command of Combined Task Force (CTF) 153 to the Italian Navy during a change of command ceremony at the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) headquarters here, April 3.
- Poland Joins Combined Maritime Forces in Middle East as 42nd Member Combined Maritime Forces welcomed the Republic of Poland as the 42nd member of the world’s largest maritime security partnership, March 17.
- Laboon Sailors Provide Assistance to Distressed Mariners Crew members from the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Laboon (DDG 58) provided assistance to three mariners on a disabled vessel in the international waters of the Gulf of Aden, March 11.
- DTRA’s Biological Threat Reduction Program and the Tripartite Health Organizations conduct workshop on Zoonotic Workforce Development. In partnership with The Defense Threat Reduction Agency’s Biological Threat Reduction Program and the Tripartite health organizations (World Health Organization (WHO), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), and the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH)), conducted a workshop aimed at fortifying and mobilizing Kazakhstan's workforce for effective preparedness and response to zoonotic disease outbreaks Jan. 23-25 in Almaty, Kazakhstan.
- Contingency Contractors: Partnerships Power the Mission in U.S. Central Command U.S. CENTRAL COMMAND - “An army runs on its stomach,” a phrase attributed to Napoleon Bonaparte, emphasizes the importance of meeting the basic logistical needs of a military force first and foremost. In a modern contingency environment such as the Middle East, the U.S. Air Force directly supplies a base with equipment like aircraft, heavy machinery and weaponry. But when it comes to smaller logistical details, an expeditionary contracting squadron is largely responsible for feeding the “stomach.”“We have our hands in just about every aspect of the mission here, from food, phone services, and office equipment to making sure we have electricity and running water. Whether it’s at the AFCENT (U.S. Air Forces Central) level or handled right here by our team, those items or services were procured by Air Force contracting,” said an ECONS director of operations deployed to the Middle East.
- Space capabilities highlighted in second annual CENTCOM Theater Space Forum U.S. Space Forces Central hosted the second annual U.S. Central Command Theater Space Forum recently, bringing together over 140 space experts from all five branches of the Defense Department, multiple Combatant Commands and partner nations.
- Multilateral Maritime Engagement 24.1: Strengthening Regional Partnerships for Enhanced Stability MANAMA, Bahrain - Task Force 51/5th Marine Expeditionary Brigade (TF 51/5) is proud to announce Multilateral Maritime Engagement (MME) 24.1, a symposium aimed at fostering multilateral opportunities, partnerships, and capabilities within the United States Central Command (CENTCOM) Area of Responsibility (AOR).MME 24.1 will take place from 21-22 February 2024 in Bahrain, where TF 51/5 will host military leaders from across the region to advance bilateral and multilateral partnerships. The symposium will serve as a platform for military leaders from Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, and the UK to engage in meaningful discussions about issues facing maritime security in the region, and to collaborate on strategic planning.
- Saudi Arabia Hosts U.S. CENTCOM Command Surgeon and Partner Nations For International Military Medicine Conference and Multinational Medical Response Training TAMPA, Fla. - Saudi Arabia Military Medical Services hosted the first Multinational Medical Response Training in partnership with the United States Central Command (CENTCOM) Command Surgeon from Feb. 11-13, in Riyadh.“This inaugural event’s purpose is to create an enduring regional medical disaster response framework that enhances stability and collaboration throughout the region,” said USCENTCOM Command Surgeon U.S. Army Col. Larry McCord. “I believe this will be the first of many iterations of medical cooperation and training that builds relationships and strengthens our bonds.”
- International Maritime Security Construct Holds Change of Command The International Maritime Security Construct (IMSC) held a change of command ceremony onboard Naval Support Activity Bahrain, Feb. 20.
- U.S. collaborates with allies, partners at Saudi-led Spears of Victory exercise 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.
- DIA report confirms the Houthis’ use of Iranian missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles to conduct attacks across the Middle East DIA report confirms the Houthis’ use of Iranian missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles to conduct attacks across the Middle East.
- Cooper Hands Over Command of U.S. 5th Fleet to Wikoff Vice Adm. Brad Cooper turned over command of Middle East naval forces to Vice Adm. George Wikoff during a change of command ceremony at Naval Support Activity Bahrain, Feb. 1.
- U.S. Military and Kuwait Armed Forces Collaborate in Exercise Eager Defender 24 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.
- Ecuador Joins Combined Maritime Forces in Middle East as 40th Member On Jan. 11, the Combined Maritime Forces welcomed Ecuador as the 40th member of the world’s largest maritime security partnership.
- First Drug Interdiction of the Year for CMF French-led Combined Task Force 150 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.
- International Night at CENTCOM TAMPA, Fla. - Each year, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) hosts a celebration that includes Coalition personnel present at MacDill Air Force Base. This celebration brings together many of CENTCOM’s Senior National Representatives (SNRs) and non-commissioned officers, who represent their respective countries at the command. These representatives and their families volunteer to cook and serve foods and sweets, for which their country is famous, to MacDill Air Force Base personnel and members of the Tampa Bay community.
- U.S., Japan ships complete bilateral exercise in Gulf of Aden GULF OF ADEN – The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Mason (DDG 87) and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) Murasame-class destroyer FS Akebono (DD 108) conducted bilateral exercise in the Gulf of Aden, Nov. 25.Meeting at sea, the ships practiced a range of surface warfare events, including visit, board, search, and seizure (VBSS), helicopter deck landing qualifications (DLQ), divisional tactics (DIVTACs), and personnel exchanges.
- IKE Strike Group Transits the Strait of Hormuz The Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group (IKECSG) completed a scheduled transit through the Strait of Hormuz into the Arabian Gulf, Nov. 26.