News | U.S. Army Central

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)

USARCENT Honors Volunteer with Top U.S. Army Civilian Award
July 1, 2020 — SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. -- U.S. Army Central Chief of Staff, Brigadier General Jeffrey Van, presented Katrin Galeano with the Meritorious Public Service Medal, the third highest honors the Department of the Army can award to a private citizen. The award celebrates Galeano’s exceptional public service in support of her military spouse, families, civilians, the local Sumter community and the military community across the globe... MORE

U.S. Army Central Chief of Staff Brigadier General Jeffrey Van presented Katrin Galeano with the Meritorious Public Service Medal, the third highest honors the Department of the Army can award to a private citizen. The award celebrates Galeano’s exceptional public service in support of her military spouse, families, civilians, the local Sumter community and the military community across the globe.

Mail operations during COVID-19
June 30, 2020 — Not rain, snow, sleet, extreme heat, or even COVID-19 can stop delivery of the mail. “There are 58 mail rooms here on Arifjan alone,” said Staff Sgt. Robert Harris, the mail operations non-commissioned officer in charge for Task Force Spartan. “We alone are responsible for 1,300 people.”... MORE

Soldiers with Task Force Spartan work to keep mail operations open while deployed overseas in Kuwait. During Covid-19 with little for soldiers to look forward to mail helps to keep moral up. (U.S. Army Photo by Sgt. Andrew Winchell)

Spartan Engineers Train to Clear Obstacles on the Battlefield
June 30, 2020 — Operating breach vehicles with a hundred meters of C4 explosive is a rare opportunity in the world of engineers. Spartan Soldiers assigned to the North Carolina Army National Guard, 236th Brigade Engineer Battalion conducted breach training with an M1150 Assault Breacher Vehicle, equipped with a Mine Clearing Line Charge in the CENTCOM area of responsibility... MORE

30th Armored Brigade Combat Team Soldier's conduct training with Mine Clearing Line Charge in Kuwait on June 17, 2020. The Mine Clearing Line Charge is a line of explosives used to detonate mines in the ground. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Andrew Winchell)

Task Force Spartan Maintainers Keep the Task Force Moving
June 23, 2020 — Soldiers of the 42nd Infantry Division working in the motor pool play a critical role in keeping the division and Task Force Spartan Shield mission capable and is responsible for more than just working on equipment. “We have to order parts to keep all of Task Force Spartan operating,” said Sgt. Eric Monk. “Without us staying on top of things here, vehicles would go down and we wouldn’t be mission capable... MORE

Soldiers of Task Force Spartan perform maintenance on vehicles to keep them mission capable on June 23, 2020 in Kuwait. Soldiers from the 42nd Infantry Division have been tasked with keeping Task Force Spartan vehicles ready from Humvees for missions to gators used to move around post. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Andrew Winchell)

EOD Unit Trains Future Techs
June 23, 2020 — The continued success and existence of any profession depends on preparing those that will eventually replace us. For Spc. Chloe Schneiderman of the 741st Ordnance Battalion (EOD), deployed to the CENTCOM area of responsibility in support of Operation Spartan Shield, this means organizing a training exercise... MORE

U.S. Army Soldiers with the 741st Ordnance Battalion conduct explosives training in the CENTCOM area of responsibility, June 9, 2020. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Andrew Valenza)

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.

Links

USEFUL LINKS

Legal

Component Commands

General

Resources