News | U.S. Army Central

Starting and ending your day with a salute
June 23, 2020 — SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. -- Twice a day, Soldiers stand at the position of attention, saluting the U.S. flag during the playing of reveille and retreat. Soldiers often rise well before the sun, dutifully following steps of a routine to prepare for the challenges they will face each day. A Soldier’s day does not truly begin until they take part in a ritual that dates back to the founding of our nation's military: rendering honors to the colors during the playing of reveille and retreat... MORE

Service in the Family
June 22, 2020 — A father, a sister, and two brothers. The Grams are not only a family by blood but are also brothers and sisters in arms. These four members of the Grams clan have all served in the Minnesota National Guard with Grams senior, (RET Sgt. 1st Class) Harlan Grams, having served 24 years and sister Olivia Grams serving in the Air National Guard as a Staff Sgt. for six years before hanging up the uniform. Now only Chief Warrant Officer 2 Marshall Grams and Sgt. 1st Class Garrett Grams continue to serve, but Sgt. 1st Class Grams says having that shared experience means a lot to him and his family... MORE

The Grams brothers, Sgt. 1st Class Garrett Grams (left) and Chief Warrant Officer 2 Marshall Grams (right), are currently deployed together to the Middle East with the 34th Expeditionary Combat Aviation Brigade. Their passion for service is a family affair, as their father and sister have both served in the Minnesota National Guard as well.

Chapels Reopen Doors for In-Person Gatherings
June 20, 2020 — Over the weekend, religious services throughout Camp Arifjan re-opened their doors for in-person gatherings. Services were halted earlier this year in response to COVID - 19. With social distancing implemented, attendance capacity was limited to 25 personnel, along with limited seating... MORE

NSA Bahrain Cuts Ribbon on new USACE Built Medical Facility
June 17, 2020 — The Naval Medical Readiness and Training Unit (NMRTU) Bahrain held a ribbon cutting ceremony marking the successful completion of a multi-faceted medical clinic on June 16. The ceremony was led by Navy Capt. Greg Smith, the commander of the Naval Support Activity (NSA) Bahrain... MORE

Naval Support Activity Bahrain along with personnel from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Bureau of Navy Medicine held a ribbon cutting ceremony for a new medical and dental clinic on Naval Support Activity Bahrain. The new 56,000 square foot facility, will substantially increase medical capacities and capabilities for sailors and their families stationed in Bahrain. Construction was overseen by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and completed in December of 2019.

Washington Army National Guard completes Jordan rotation, transfers mission to the Illinois Guard
June 13, 2020 — The 1st Squadron, 303rd Cavalry Regiment (1-303 CAV), Washington Army National Guard, completed their partnership mission with the Jordan Armed Forces (JAF) this Thursday... MORE

Lt. Col. Timothy Ozmer (right), Commander of the 1st Squadron, 303rd Cavalry Regiment (1-303 CAV), and Cmd. Sgt. Maj. John Hurt (left), case their unit colors during the transfer of authority ceremony

Joint Efforts Lead to Life-Saving Transport and Treatment of Military Working Dog
June 13, 2020 — The sight of a helicopter for the average deployed Soldier is not exactly a noteworthy event. That is unless the passenger happens to be of the four-legged variety. Cvoky, a 120-pound Belgian Malinois, who serves as a U.S. Air Force military working dog, was recently rushed to Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, with a potentially life-threatening condition... MORE

U.S. Air Force Military Working Dog Cvoky was recently transported to Kuwait to receive treatment for a heat injury on June 9, 2020. Cvoky has made a full recovery and is waiting to return to the United States. (Courtesy photo)

U.S. Army Central Celebrates the 245th U.S. Army Birthday
June 11, 2020 — SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. – United States Army Central celebrated the U.S. Army’s 245th birthday with an observance in the command’s headquarters, Patton Hall. While maintaining all COVID-19 guidelines, USARCENT members observed reenactments of Medal of Honor recipients performed by headquarters Soldiers, listened to personal stories that highlighted the significance of diversity, and watched the command team cut the celebration cake... MORE

The U.S. Army Central command team pose with USARCENT Soldiers who reenacted moments of Medal of Honor recipients during the 245th U.S. Army birthday observance, Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., 11 Jun. 2020. S All COVID-19 guidelines were followed, and the audience maintained social distancing. The observance concluded with a cake cutting with the USARCENT command team, to include the youngest and oldest Soldier from the headquarters.

Spartan Chaplains Maintain Morale and Faith in spite of COVID-19
June 10, 2020 — The chaplains of Task Force Spartan are working overtime to maintain morale amid social distancing and other restrictions Soldiers face in a COVID-19 environment. "COVID started when we got here, we've been dealing with it every day the past few months," said Lt. Col. Douglas Brock, the 42nd Infantry Division chaplain... MORE

U.S. Army Maj. Timothy Miller, the Task Force Spartan Deputy Command Chaplain, assigned to the 42nd Infantry Division, gives a Christian Service in the Central Command Area of Operation, May 10, 2020. Miller gave the outdoor services in compliance with Department of Defense guidelines. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Andrew Valenza)

Allies Visit Task Force Spartan Mobile Command Post
June 8, 2020 — Recently, a special guest visited Task Force Spartan continuing a long successful history of cooperation and partnership between the U.S. and Kuwait Land Forces. During his visit, Col. Raed al-Sakran, Chief of Plans for the Kuwait Land Forces, toured the task force's mobile command post (MCP) and was briefed about its capabilities... MORE

U.S. Army Lt. Col. Shawn Tabankin, the Chief of Plans for Task Force Spartan, shows Col. Raed al Alsakran, Chief of Plans for the Kuwaiti Land Forces, a mobile command post in Kuwait on June 8, 2020. This meeting allows U.S. Forces and Kuwaiti Land Forces to share ideas and best practices. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. Trevor Cullen)

A Career of Service
June 6, 2020 — MIDDLE EAST – “I was going to do 20 years and split,” said Sgt. 1st Class Boyd Brinker, platoon sergeant for Charlie Company, 2-147th Assault Helicopter Battalion, 34th Expeditionary Combat Aviation Brigade (ECAB). “Obviously 20 years has come and gone, and I still feel useful. I guess when I get to the point when I don’t feel useful, I’ll stop then.”... MORE

Sgt. 1st Class Boyd Brinker raised his right hand on June 6, 2020, to re-enlist for another six year contract with the Iowa National Guard while deployed to the Middle East with the 34th Expeditionary Combat Aviation Brigade in support of Operation Inherent Resolve and Operations Spartan Shield. He has already served his state and country for 35 years so this final contract will put him over 40 years of service. (U.S. Army Photo by Sgt. Sydney Mariette)

30th ABCT Soldiers Practice Squad Tactics
May 30, 2020 — In the heat of the night shots ring out, as the distinctive snap and crack of ricochet rounds can be heard. The firefight training scenario between two rivals, was carried out by Soldiers of the 30th Armored Brigade Combat Team (ABCT)... MORE

Map Making in the Middle East
May 30, 2020 — MIDDLE EAST -- “For a long time growing up I’ve just wanted to be part of something greater,” said Staff Sgt. Nhia Xiong, the geospatial non-commissioned officer in charge (NCOIC) for the Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 34th Expeditionary Combat Aviation Brigade (ECAB), currently deployed to the Middle East. “I have always been drawn towards being part of a team that was doing something to impact other’s lives.”... MORE

Staff Sgt. Nhia Xiong prepares to print a tactical map in his office while he is deployed to the Middle East with the Headquarters & Headquarters Company, 34th Expeditionary Combat Aviation Brigade. His role as the geospatial non-commissioned officer in charge is to oversee the creation and printing of maps used by other units in his area of operations for missions that support of Operation Spartan Shield and Operation Inherent Resolve.

42nd ID Soldiers Reunite in Kuwait
May 30, 2020 — In 2005, Pvt. Kenneth Geib, and Spc. Timothy Olsen were in Tikrit turning wrenches in Iraq for Staff Sgt. Edgar Ponce in the maintenance section of the 42nd Infantry Division. Fifteen years later, Sgt. 1st Class Kenneth Geib, Sgt. 1st Class Timothy Olsen, and Master Sgt. Edgar Ponce are together again in the 42nd Infantry Division on deployment... MORE

U.S. Army Soldiers of the 42nd Infantry Division, Task Force Spartan, stand together on Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, May 30, 2020. The three Soldiers previously deployed together in 2004. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Andrew Valenza)

Modern Day “Rosie the Riveter”
May 30, 2020 — CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait - As COVID-19 has reshaped routines across the United States, American citizens have coped with stay-at-home orders in unique ways. For Miyuki Kamada, a Silicon Valley-based technology manager, creating cloth facial-coverings for Soldiers deployed to the Middle East was her way of serving her country... MORE

Miyuki Kamada shows off the masks she created for service members stationed in Kuwait, at her home in San Bruno, California, April 8, 2020. Kamada was inspired to serve her country by Rosie the Riveter and followed Centers for Disease Control guidelines to produce the masks, such as only using materials made from 100 percent cotton. (Courtesy photo)

First DoD medical personnel licensed to practice in Kuwait
May 28, 2020 — SABAH AL SALEM, Kuwait – Two U.S. Army officers were licensed and credentialed to practice medicine in Kuwait following an award ceremony held at the Kuwait Armed Forces Hospital (KAFH) in Sabah Al Salem on May 19, for the first time in U.S. Department of Defense history... MORE

U.S. Army Col. Ian Black, command surgeon for the 1st Theater Sustainment Command, left, and U.S. Army Capt. Yusheng Chen, command dentist for Area Support Group - Kuwait, present their Kuwaiti medical-licenses at the Kuwait Armed Forces Hospital in Sabah Al Salem, Kuwait, May 19, 2020. Black and Chen are the first U.S. military personnel to be medically licensed for practice in Kuwait, an initial step towards medical interoperability between the two nations. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Sean Harding)

Combined Forces Leader Development Course leads to new approaches
May 27, 2020 — Learning new styles of leadership can be a tough process in the best circumstances, but studying them in a combat zone presents its own challenges... MORE

Task Force Spartan Soldiers Shore Up Roadways
May 26, 2020 — Soldiers from the 30th Armored Brigade Combat Team have worked tirelessly to repair a washed-out roadway over the past month that is vital for continued operations near the Port of Shuaiba, Kuwait. “Over time, water has eroded the sand and gravel on the side of the roadway,” said 2nd Lt. Ryan Long, a Platoon Leader with the 30th ABCT. “We have had to replace the sand that was washed out with gravel to build it back up.”... MORE

U.S Army Soldiers from the 30th Armored Brigade Combat Team work to repair a roadway on May 20, 2020 in Kuwait. The Soldiers from the 30th ABCT work during the night to avoid the extreme heat of the day, and be able to work longer on the project. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Andrew Winchell)

U.S. Army and Jordan Armed Forces continue partnership mission despite COVID-19 challenges
May 25, 2020 — The United States and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan have continued to cement their military partnership through the Jordan Operational Engagement Program (JOEP) in past months... MORE

A Jordan Armed Forces Soldier conducts an M4 range during the Instructor Trainer Course (ITC) as part of the Jordan Operational Engagement Program (JOEP) training cycle with the U.S. Army. The U.S. Army is in Jordan to partner closely with the Jordan Armed Forces in meeting common security challenges. Jordan is one of the United States' closest allies in the region.

42nd ID General Will Never Forget
May 25, 2020 — On this Memorial Day from almost 7,000 miles away from their home the Soldiers of the New York Army National Guard’s 42nd Infantry Division remember the fallen Soldiers... MORE

Spartan Soldiers Defense Against Invasive Species
May 20, 2020 — Task Force Spartan Soldiers work with service members from the 304th Sustainment Brigade, the Rhode Island Army National Guard's 115th Military Police Company are vital defenders against potentially dangerous materials coming back from the Middle East... MORE

U.S. Army Spc. Logan Drye and Pfc. Jordan schuh, assigned to the 30th Armored Brigade Combat Team, clean vehicles in Kuwait, May 13, 2020. The vehicles being prepared to be sent back to the U.S. After thorough cleaning and clearing by U.S. Customs officials. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Andrew Valenza)

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