News | U.S. Army Central

The Show Must Go on – Army Division Logistics Support in the World of COVID
August 12, 2020 — The show must go on! The old show-biz quote aptly applies to military operations as well as logistics support, and the quote is especially relevant as the world slows down over the COVID-19 pandemic. In the military, we cannot cease operations or “work from home.” How could any of us have foreseen the current operating environment?... MORE

Nearly 700 pieces of equipment assigned to the 30th Armored Brigade Combat Team, North Carolina Army National Guard, are loaded on a ship in preperation for shipment to the United States in the CENTCOM area of responisibilty August 7, 2020.

Mentor and Friend helps guide an Army Warrant Officers Career Path
August 10, 2020 — 6 thousand miles and two continents away in Kuwait, a field artillery warrant speaks about his mentor as he reminisces about his 22-year career and the 65th anniversary of the creation of the Field Artillery warrant and why he became a warrant officer... MORE

Chief Warrant Officer 4 Thomas Fancher ( second fron the left) stands with Chief Warrant Officer 2 Carlos Perez, Chief Warrant Officer 3 Shawn Stanford and Chief Warrant Officer 3 Ben Lewis ( far right) at the 1-258th Field Artillery Battalion dining out St. Barbara's Ball December 7, 2019.

USAF, USA bring joint humanitarian aid to Beirut
August 7, 2020 — In a joint endeavor to assist the Lebanese Armed Forces and the people of Lebanon, Soldiers and Airmen stationed in Qatar worked to load the first U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III with humanitarian aid Aug. 6, 2020. Members from the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing, Air Mobility Command’s 8th Expeditionary Air Mobility Squadron and 816th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron on Al Udeid Air Base, and the Area Support Group-Qatar from Camp as Sayliyah worked to palletize food, water and medical supplies delivered to Beirut, Lebanon later that day... MORE

U.S. Air Force Airmen prepare to load humanitarian aid supplies onto a U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III at Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar, Aug. 6, 2020, bound for Beirut, Lebanon. U.S. Central Command is coordinating with the Lebanese Armed Forces and U.S. Embassy-Beirut to transport critical supplies as quickly as possible to support the needs of the Lebanese people. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Heather Fejerang)

U.S. Navy Escorts Army Logistics Support Vessels Out of 5th Fleet after 20 Year Tour of Duty
August 5, 2020 — U.S. Navy warships assigned to U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT), escorted two U.S. Army Frank S. Besson class logistics support vessels (LSV), assigned to U.S. Army Central Command (ARCENT), as they transited out of the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations (AOO), July-August. The two LSVs, Major General Charles P. Gross (LSV 5) and Specialist 4 James A. Loux (LSV 6), had been forward deployed to the region for 20 years in support of U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) tasking, and were departing Kuwait as a result of an Army-wide restructuring and asset allocation... MORE

200714-N-FO574-1025 ARABIAN GULF (July 14, 2020) Logistics support vessel Maj. Gen. Charles P. Gross (LSV 5) transits the Arabian Gulf under escort by a Mark VI patrol boat, assigned to Commander, Task Force (CTF) 56, July 14, 2020. CTF 56 is responsible for planning and execution of expeditionary missions, including coastal riverine operations, in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Jordan R. Bair/Released)

Task Force Spartan Aviators Meet with Kuwait Air Force
August 4, 2020 — Task Force Spartan Aviator’s recently visited with representatives of the Kuwait Air Force to discuss procedures, best practices, and partnerships between the U.S. Army, U.S. Air Force, and Kuwait Air Force. “Today was a follow-up meeting which was created after our initial meeting for a quarterly review of aviation procedures,” said Paul Bailie, the Task Force Spartan Aviation Chief... MORE

Lieutenant Colonel Bailie, Task Force Spartan's Aviation Section Chief, visited the 34th Expeditionary Combat Aviation Brigade at the C-12 Regional Flight Center and met with Chief Warrant Officer Five Dukes.

The visit allowed for discussions on flight missions, possible partnership opportunities with friends and allies in the region, and how to best improve aviation practices and procedures.

Modernizing Mitigation
July 31, 2020 — CAMP BUEHRING, Kuwait -- On the battlefield, a few seconds can be the difference between someone living or someone dying. In the war on COVID-19, time can be an enemy or a friend, as well. The time spent waiting on results is time the virus can quickly spread to other individuals. Military personnel at Camp Buehring, Kuwait, recently acquired a new weapon in their arsenal... MORE

U.S. Army Reserve Sgt. Christopher Garrett, a lab technician with the 18th Field Hospital, Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story, Virginia, demonstrates the steps of a COVID-19 test on a GeneXpert system on Camp Buehring, Kuwait, July 30, 2020. Camp Buehring recently acquired the hi-tech system allowing turn arounds for COVID-19 tests to be less than an hour. (Photo by U.S. Army Reserve Staff Sgt. Christopher Osburn)

Pfc. Vivianne Atencio, Chinook Mechanic
July 31, 2020 — Pfc. Vivianne Atencio first took up a wrench in an automotive class while attending Truckee Meadows Community College. The drive came from wanting to understand the needs of her car better. “I got mad because I felt like I was always getting ripped off when I would take my car in for an oil change,” said Atencio. “I felt like I would walk in and they would think ‘she doesn’t know what she’s here for, so we’re going to charge her for things she doesn’t need’.” ... MORE

Pfc. Vivianne Atencio applies her skills as a CH-47 Chinook maintainer while deployed to the Middle East with Delta Company, 1-189th General Support Aviation Battalion in support of Operation Inherent Resolve and Operation Spartan Shield on July 31, 2020. This Nevada National Guard Soldier just enlisted in January of 2019, making her one of the newest additions to the U.S. Army currently deployed with the 34th Combat Aviation Brigade.

Sgt. Kayla Sampson, Flight Medic
July 31, 2020 — “I think my favorite thing about flying, if you take away that I’m a medic, it’s the freedom of it,” said Sgt. Kayla Sampson, assigned to Charlie Company, 2-238th General Support Aviation Battalion. “But if you put in the fact that I’m also a medic, it’s the fact that I’m not just someone that’s going to get you from the ground onto a helicopter, I’m the medic that’s actually going to travel with you. Without MEDEVAC assets there would be a lot of Soldiers that wouldn’t make it out of country because the ground transport is so long. I love what I do.” ... MORE

Sgt. Kayla Sampson stands in front of a UH-60 Black Hawk Helicopter while stationed in Camp Buehring, Kuwait on July 30, 2020. As a flight medic with Charlie Company, 2-238th General Aviation Support Battalion, Sampson performs all in-flight medical attention to patients during transport.

Task Force Spartan Engineers Get a Look at How Their Kuwaiti Partners Train
July 29, 2020 — Task Force Spartan engineers recently took advantage of an opportunity to tour the Kuwait Land Forces Engineer School to get a closer look at how its peers in Kuwait train their engineers and encourage future partnerships... MORE

U.S. Army Lt. Col. Michael Rodriguez speaks with Kuwait Land Forces Lt. Col

Meshal Alrubiaan during a meeting in Kuwait on July 20, 2020. The meeting was

held to lay the groundwork and planning for subject matter expert exchanges

between the United States Army and the Kuwait Land Forces.

Like a BOS: Unit provides life support for troops and civilians
July 24, 2020 — Operating a military base is not easy work. Latrines have to be cleaned. Housing has to be administered. Contractors have to be supervised. Water and food have to be tracked. Trash has to be properly disposed. Traffic rules have to be enforced. Vehicles have to be maintained... MORE

U.S. Army Spc. Eric S. Shepherd, 207th Regional Support Group services NCO, supervises the disposal of broken equipment at Al Asad Air Base, Iraq, July, 10, 2020. The Army Reserve unit provided life support services for three separate bases in Iraq through much of 2020 in support of Operation Inherent Resolve. Coalition Forces continue to work with allies and partners for a unified and determined mission to degrade and defeat Daesh. The unit is based in Fort Jackson, S.C. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Gary A. Witte, 207th Regional Support Group)

75th FAB Talk Future Partnership with Kuwaiti Field Artillery
July 22, 2020 — The partnership between the U.S. and Kuwaiti military started back during Operation Desert Storm. Nearly three decades later, this partnership continues with units like the U.S. Army's 75th Field Artillery Brigade... MORE

U.S Army Soldiers of the 75th Field Artillery Brigade and Kuwaiti Army Soldiers stand together in Kuwait, July 15, 2020. The Kuwaiti Soldiers were meeting with the commander of the 75th FA to showcase their capabilities and plan future exercises. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Andrew Valenza)

Partnerships and Interoperability Continue Despite COVID-19 Challenges
July 22, 2020 — CAMP ARIFJAN, KUWAIT – Leaders from the 1st Theater Sustainment Command, 311th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary), 3rd Medical Command Forward and Kuwaiti Col. Dr. Raed Altajalli, liaison officer to Kuwait Ministry of Defense (KMOD) met to discuss future partnership opportunities at the Operational Command Post on July 20, 2020... MORE

CAMP ARIFJAN, KUWAIT – Key leaders, (L to R) Kuwaiti Col. Dr. Raed Altajalli, liaison officer to Kuwait Ministry of Defense (KMOD), Col Simon Hamid, 1st Theater Sustainment Command, command surgeon, Command Sgt. Maj. George Luedtke, 311th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary), and Brig. Gen. Dianne Del Rosso, deputy commanding general, 1st TSC, 311th ESC, come together for a meeting on interoperability in medical cooperation between the U.S. and Kuwait at the Black Jack Conference Room in the Operational Command Post on July 20. (U.S. Army Reserve photo by Staff Sgt. Manuel Quiros July 20, 2020)

Homemade masks help protect troops
July 21, 2020 — When the order came in April to start wearing masks because of the pandemic, many troops in Iraq improvised. They created impromptu protective equipment with T-shirts, scarves and neck gaiters wrapped around their faces. ... MORE

U.S. Army Spc. Alex L. Jackson, 248th Medical Company (Area Support) communications specialist, puts on one of the estimated 2,000 handmade cloth masks sent from the United States to the unit at Al Asad Air Base, Iraq, July 10, 2020. When the masks arrived in May, troops and civilians at the base were able to use the masks to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. Coalition Forces remain united and determined in their mission to degrade and defeat Daesh. (U.S. Army by Sgt. 1st Class Gary A. Witte)

Syrian Democratic Forces Display Strength, Capabilities through Successful Operations
July 20, 2020 — Partnering with Special Operations Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve (SOJTF-OIR) beginning in 2014, the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) have proven to be a capable and reliable partner in northeast Syria. They were instrumental in defeating Daesh and liberating millions of Syrians from brutal terrorist rule, and their most noteworthy campaign was the battle of Baghouz, which resulted in the defeat of Daesh’s territorial caliphate on March 23, 2019. ... MORE

Members of the Syrian Democratic Forces stand in formation during a victory announcement ceremony over the defeat of Daesh’s so-called physical caliphate Mar. 23, 2019 at Omar Academy, Deir ez-Zor, Syria. The Global Coalition will continue addressing the threat Daesh continues to pose to the partner nations and allies, while preventing any return or resurgence in liberated areas. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Ray Boyington)

Task Force Spartan and 3rd MEDCOM Tour Results of Host Nation Partnership
July 15, 2020 — 3rd Medical Command and Task Force Spartan toured a unique quarantine facility operated by the Kuwait Ministry of Defense residents of Kuwait July 3, 2020. ... MORE

Kuwaiti Soldiers stand with U.S. Army Soldiers of the 3rd Medical Command at a quarantine facility in Kuwait, July 3rd, 2020. U.S. and Kuwaiti forces have been working together to stop the spread of COVID-19 in Kuwait. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Andrew Valenza)

Ex-leader in Saudi embraces flexibility, communication
July 15, 2020 — RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA. – When Col. John DiGiambattista became the 23rd program manager of the Office of the Program Manager-Saudi Arabian National Guard Modernization Program in June 2019, he knew that being open to change and maintaining a focus on communication would be vital to the mission. ... MORE

U.S. Army Col. John DiGiambattista, right, former program manager of the Office of the Program Manager-Saudi Arabian National Guard Modernization Program, confers with Prince (Maj. Gen.) Nayif Bin Majid Al Saud, chief, Directorate of Education and Training, Ministry of the Riyadh. (US Army photo by Jerome Mapp)

Red Devil Justice Earns Distinction
July 13, 2020 — MIDDLE EAST – Paralegals deployed to the Middle East in support of the United States Army Central (USARCENT) area of operations had the opportunity to compete in the United States Army Central 3rd Quarter Paralegal of the Quarter on June 13, 2020. Representing the 34th Expeditionary Combat Aviation Brigade’s (ECAB) Red Devil Justice team, Spc. Cameron Kerkes won in the lower enlisted category. As a Paralegal Specialist for Headquarters & Headquarters Company, 2-147th Assault Helicopter Battalion, Kerkes competed against other junior enlisted personnel and noncommissioned officers with varying degrees of experience levels. His achievement is especially notable considering he recently graduated the paralegal advanced individual training in March of 2019... MORE

Spc. Cameron Kerkes is presented an Army Achievement Medal on July 7, 2020, for earning the U. S. Army Central’s Paralegal of the Quarter competition for the 3rd quarter of 2020. The AAM is presented by Kerkes’ sponsor for the competition, Sgt. Joshua Snyder while they are both deployed to the Middle East with the Headquarters & Headquarters Company, 2-147th Assault Helicopter Battalion, 34th Expeditionary Combat Aviation Brigade. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Sydney Mariette)

Task Force Spartan Soldiers participate in Jordanian Operational Engagement Program (JOEP) Graduation
July 11, 2020 — After a laborious 14 weeks of training, Soldiers with the Jordan Armed Forces’ 4th Royal Guard Mechanized Battalion graduated from the Jordanian Operational Engagement Program July 9, 2020. Since March, Soldiers of Task Force Spartan, led by the New York Army National Guard's 42nd Infantry Division, have taken part in two separate rotations of the JOEP's training, as well as a JOEP Instructor Training Course (ITC). Currently, The Illinois Army National Guard’s 2nd Battalion, 130th Infantry Regiment, is conducting the training, with Task Force Spartan – Jordan, providing oversight and maintaining situational awareness of the program... MORE

Jordanian Armed Forces soldiers conduct sniper training under the watchful eye of HHCs trained and certified sniper teams on June 23, 2020. The HHC falls under the Illinois Army National Guard’s 2nd Battalion, 130th Infantry Regiment, and is conducting the training, with Task Force Spartan – Jordan, providing oversight and maintaining situational awareness of the program.

NAVFAC Southeast awards contract for Mission Training Complex at Shaw AFB
July 9, 2020 — JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Southeast awarded a $22.9 million firm-fixed-price contract July 2 to Bristol General Contractors, LLC, from Anchorage, Alaska, for a Mission Training Complex at Shaw Air Force Base (AFB) in Sumter, South Carolina... MORE

Task Force Javelin Soldiers Awarded Combat Patch
July 8, 2020 — 21 Soldiers from Task Force Javelin were awarded their Shoulder Sleeve Insignia-Former Wartime Service in a ceremony held in the CENTCOM area of responsibility July 1. “The basic mission [of Task Force Javelin] is to provide rotary-wing support to Task Force Spartan and U.S. Army Central,” said Lt. Col. Paul Fowler, the Commander of Task Force Javelin. “We cover general lift missions to medical evacuations, providing logistical moving of persons and equipment.”... MORE

U.S. Army Soldiers assigned to Task Force Javelin were awarded the Shoulder Sleeve Insignia of the 34th "Red Bull" Infantry Division on July 2, 2020 in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The SSI was awarded to 21 members of TFJ for their service in a designated combat zone. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. Trevor Cullen)

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