News | U.S. Army Central

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)

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)

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