News | U.S. Army Central

Soldiers to compete for title of 2018 USARCENT Best Warrior
June 26, 2018 — U.S. Army Soldiers from across the U.S. Army Central area of responsibility came together to register for the 2018 USARCENT Best Warrior competition, June 27, 2018, at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait. The best warrior competition will run from June 28th to June 30th at Camps Arifjan and Beuhring, Kuwait... MORE

U.S. Army Spc. Cameron Gaylor left, a healthcare specialist assigned to Army Support Group - Kuwait, and Spc. Alexander Dillon right, a military policeman assigned to the ARCENT Personal Security Detachment, fill out paperwork during registration for the 2018 U.S. Army Central Best Warrior Competition at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, June 27, 2018. The best warrior competition is held to promote morale and cohesion, and to reinforce the importance of individual excellence within the profession.

Combat Aviation Soldiers swap maintenance expertise with Royal Jordanian Air Force
June 26, 2018 — Soldiers assigned to the 449th Combat Aviation Brigade were the first to rub shoulders and swap UH-60 Black Hawk maintenance expertise with members of the Royal Jordanian Air Force during their two-month mission to support the U.S. Embassy’s military assistance program in Jordan starting on March 16, 2018... MORE

Soldiers with the 248th Aviation Support Battalion and the 1st Battalion, 244th Aviation Regiment (Assault) – units of the 449th Combat Aviation Brigade – stand in front of a Jordanian UH-60A Black Hawk May 10, 2018 with members of the Royal Jordanian Air Force. The soldiers worked side-by-side over a two-month period facilitating different aspects of aviation maintenance. During their mission, the 248th ASB and the 1-244 AHB made up an eight-man team that worked with the RJAF team to focus on phase maintenance inspections of UH-60A Black Hawks, UH-60M Black Hawk maintenance, and aviation maintenance management training to help strengthen the RJAF’s mission readiness and interoperability.

Secretary of the Army Visits Camp Arifjan
June 22, 2018 — Secretary of the Army, Dr. Mark T. Esper visited U.S. Army Central Soldiers June 21 as part of his tour of the U.S. Army Central area of responsibility. “It is always good to get out of the Pentagon, come out and find out what is really happening on the ground,” said Esper. “I just get a lot of good feedback that I take back to Washington, D.C.”... MORE

Secretary of the Army, Dr. Mark T. Esper takes a guided tour of a U.S. Army Prepositioned Stock warehouse led by Soldiers and Department of the Army Civilians at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, June 21, 2018. APS warehouses are a strategic asset, which keep equipment readily available so deploying units can quickly respond to any contingency.

U.S. Army Central commander visits Soldiers in Kuwait
June 19, 2018 — U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Michael X. Garrett, the U.S. Army Central commanding general, conducted a town hall meeting at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, June 14, 2018. Garrett’s intent was to inform USARCENT and other subordinate units’ Soldiers on his vision and enduring priorities... MORE

Lt. Gen. Michael X. Garrett, U.S. Army Central (USARCENT) commander speaks to Soldiers during a town hall meeting at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, June 14, 2018. Lt. Gen. Garrett conducted the town hall to discuss USARCENT's vision and enduring priorities of readiness, communication, protecting the force, and transitions between incoming and outgoing units.

Army Engineers participate in counter IED exchange
June 5, 2018 — The 35th Engineer Brigade of Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, and the 648th Military Engagement Team (MET), Georgia Army National Guard, had the exciting opportunity to engage in a knowledge exchange event with the Royal Army of Oman on counter improvised explosive device (CIED) tactics, techniques and procedures... MORE

Maj. Brian Sayer, right, and Master Sgt. Rodney Haesemeyer, 35th Engineer Brigade, Task Force Spartan, discuss tactics, techniques and procedures of countering improvised explosive devices and praise the Omani soldiers on their excellent work on the practical exercise lanes.

Death announcement of Maj. Gen. Jeffrey Banister
May 29, 2018 — A U.S. Army general officer died Sunday, May 27, 2018, of natural causes while running around Lake Murray near Lexington, S.C., according to medical examiners. Maj. Gen. Jeffrey L. Bannister, 57, was assigned to U.S. Army Central at Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., working as a special projects officer for the Chief of Staff of the Army. He was on transition leave with his family awaiting his retirement in June... MORE

US, UAE artillery movement exercise demonstrates speed, coordination
May 29, 2018 — U.S. and United Arab Emirate army units recently demonstrated the speed with which a truck-mounted artillery system can be airlifted to where it can do the most good on the battlefield during a planned transport exercise on April 18... MORE

Spc. Rey Claudio (left) of Orlando, Fla. and Staff Sgt. Christopher Allen (center, facing camera) of Las Vegas, N.V., both with the 75th Field Artillery Brigade, III Corps, U.S. Army talk to soldiers with the 79th Heavy Rocket Regiment, United Arab Emirates Land Forces, before the crews move their High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) vehicles onto the airfield April 18, 2018. The Soldiers participated in a HIMARS Rapid Infiltration (HIRAIN) exercise in which HIMARS crews flew with their vehicles in a U.S. Air Force cargo plane then conducted a simulated fire mission after landing.

Jordan, Task Force Spartan Soldiers celebrate JOEPs graduation
May 25, 2018 — Soldiers with the Jordan Armed Forces and U.S. Army celebrate the graduation of soldiers from the Jordan Operational Engagement Program on April 29, 2018. The nine-week program trained soldiers from the 11th Battalion, Border Guard forces, JAF, on a collection of soldier skills like mortar firing and combat life-saver... MORE

Soldiers with the 11th Battalion, Jordan Armed Forces celebrate their graduation from the Jordan Operational Engagement Program after their formal graduation ceremony on April 29, 2018. Soldiers with the 1st Battalion, 184th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Armored Combat Team, Task Force Spartan, worked in unison with the Jordan soldiers to improve their communication and improve the interoperability between the two countries.

U.S. Army Soldiers compete alongside Kuwaiti neighbors at Kuwait Disabled Sports Club
May 23, 2018 — More than 50 Task Force Spartan Soldiers participated alongside their Kuwaiti neighbors in sporting competitions at the Kuwait Disabled Sports Club, May 9. Soldiers had the opportunity to compete in wheelchair sporting competitions such as basketball, fencing, table tennis, and bocce... MORE

More than 50 Task Force Spartan soldiers participated alongside their Kuwaiti neighbors in sporting competitions at the Kuwait Disabled Sports Club, May 9. Nezar Mohammed takes a selfie along side Tahani Hussein (right) with a group of Task Force Spartan U.S. Army soldiers. The Soldiers had the opportunity to compete in wheelchair sporting competitions such as basketball, fencing, table tennis, and bocce. Continuing the legacy of “Every Soldier is an Ambassador,” a program to encourage interactions between Americans and Kuwaitis, Soldiers of the 28th Infantry Division were among a combined group of more than 100 Kuwait and U.S. Army athletes participating in sporting events held at Kuwait Disabled Sports Club, May 9.

U.S. Army 300th Chemical Company and Kuwait Land Forces develop synergy through joint training
May 17, 2018 — An informational exchange between the Kuwait Ministry of Defense Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) Battalion, Kuwait Land Forces (KLF) and the U.S. Army’s 300th Chemical Company, 40th Brigade Engineer Battalion took place, April 25... MORE

More than 45 U.S. and Kuwait Land Forces soldiers took part in a joint partner training opportunity April 25, 2018. In the simulation, a vehicle was treated as though it were contaminated by a radiological weapon of mass destruction. The team of soldiers systematically decontaminated the vehicle together, using an M-26 joint service pump during a joint partner training scenario. Subsequently the operator as well as the vehicle occupants performed Mission Oriented Protective Posture (MOPP) gear exchange at a nearby area.

648th Military Engagement Team completes successful deployment
May 15, 2018 — Soldiers with the 648th Military Engagement Team, Georgia Army National Guard, recently concluded a nine-month deployment where they participated in over 50 security cooperation missions and supported 10 combined exercises. Their efforts built relationships and capacity with our partners in the region to secure improved access, basing and overflight access while increasing interoperability... MORE

Master Sgt. Tom Scott Jr., subject matter expert, 648th Military Engagement Team, Georgia Army National Guard, and Command Sgt. Maj. Mohammad Al-Smadi, commandant, Jordan Armed Forces Noncommissioned Officer Academy, observe and discuss training during the JAF NCOA Squad Leader Course, March 18, 2018, near Amman, Jordan. The 648th MET advised JAF NCOA instructors as the Jordanian leaders developed the program of instruction for the course, which is attended by their soldiers and their regional allies.

USARCENT Hosts Best Cyber Ranger Competition
May 15, 2018 — U.S. Army Central hosted Cyber Bowl IV – this year coined the Best Cyber Ranger Competition – to promote cyber security awareness, May 8-10, Camp Arifjan, Kuwait. During the three-day event, teams went head-to-head in cyber versions of popular TV game shows such as “Cyber Jeopardy,” and “Are You Smarter than a Cyber Tech.”... MORE

335th Signal Command (Theater) (Provisional) team participates in Best Cyber Ranger competition, Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, May 8.

Engineer Week: Kindred professionals share engineer capabilities and tactics
May 14, 2018 — More than 60 engineers in a mixed group consisting of Kuwait Land Forces (KLF) soldiers, British liaison soldiers, and engineers with the U.S. Army’s 40th Brigade Engineer Battalion, gathered for a series of interactive training opportunities during Engineer Week April 9-13. The events were intended to enhance both technical and tactical readiness through classroom information exchange, equipment and operations demonstrations and sharing tactical information and threat response capabilities... MORE

Soldiers of the 40th Brigade Engineer Battalion (BEB) demonstrate dismounted explosive hazard clearance operations with the Talon Robot, and VMR/2 Mine Hound to a group of more than 60 Kuwait Land Forces soldiers, U.S. Army engineers, and British liaison soldiers, during Engineer Week, April 9-13.

Texas Congressmen visit Soldiers at Camp Arifjan
May 9, 2018 — U.S. Representatives John R. Carter, 31st District of Texas, and Roger Williams, 25th District of Texas, visited Soldiers at Camp Arifjan as part of a Congressional delegation, May 4, 2018. “We are here today to say thanks to all of our troops and those who work with our troops,” said Rep. Williams... MORE

U.S. Representatives John R. Carter and Roger Williams, Texas, speak with Soldiers with 1-62 Air Defense Artillery, Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, May 4, 2018. U.S. Representatives John R. Carter and Roger Williams from Texas visited U.S. servicemembers in the middle east as part of a congressional delegation.

Army surgeon lectures on nerve agents in Kuwait medical exchange
May 8, 2018 — The top doctor for the 28th Infantry Division paired up with a Kuwaiti physiotherapist to speak at an ongoing medical exchange at North Military Medical Complex, Kuwait. The Division surgeon lectured on the history, effects and treatment of nerve agents and how the use of nerve agents as a weapon has evolved over time... MORE

Dr. Hessa Alkandari (left), a physiotherapist with Kuwait Military Hospital; and Lt. Col. Dr. Gregory Johnston (second from left), 28th Infantry Division surgeon, pause for a photo after serving as speakers in the latest monthly medical exchange May 3, 2018 at the North Military Medical Complex. They are joined by Lt. Col. Andrew Franzone, division chemical, biological, radiation and nuclear (CBRN) protection officer; and Sgt. Maj. Michael Reep, CBRN NCOIC, who attended to hear Johnston’s presentation on the history of nerve agents. Alkandari spoke on the importance of prescribing exercise as part of patient treatment.

Divers Conduct Underwater Welding Training at Kuwait Naval Base
May 7, 2018 — Part of the 74th Engineer Dive Detachment's mission is to provide a vast network of support for all logistics vessels in theatre, to include surface and underwater cutting and welding; a skill that is emphasized for these specialized Soldiers. During a recent training event, they hosted the Kuwait School of America for a tour of the dive site and the opportunity to experience the divers training underwater in real time... MORE

U.S. Army Spc. Pierce Castro cutting a project on surface at Kuwait Naval Base, Kuwait, March 27, 2018.

Jordan Armed Forces Imams and U.S. military chaplains exercise their faith during Eager Lion 2018
May 3, 2018 — Senior religious affairs leaders of the Jordan Armed Forces (JAF) and U.S. military met with the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan’s Grand Mufti at the Jordanian Center for Countering Extremism (JCCE) as part of Eager Lion 2018, an annual two-week bilateral military exercise... MORE

Senior religious affairs leaders of the Jordan Armed Forces and U.S. military begin their staff integration week of Eager Lion 18 at Prince Hassan College April 9-10. Events like these help to build trust between service members and citizens of different nations.

PA National Guard soldier lectures on cyber threats at Gulf Shield One
May 3, 2018 — Chief Warrant Officer 3 John Mosco, tactical communications chief, signal company, 28th Infantry Division, Pa. Army National Guard, delivered a lecture at exercise Gulf Shield One which involved 23 Task Force Spartan (TFS) partner nations. Drawing upon his military background, civilian education, and experience as a college professor, Mosco provided attendees with a basic overview of cyber security operations and the steps that a person can take to secure his or her personal system... MORE

Chief Warrant Officer 3 John Mosco, tactical communications chief, signal company, 28th Infantry Division, Pa. Army National Guard, delivers a cyber-security lecture with the aid of an Arabic interpreter at exercise Gulf Shield One, March 28.

Tajik, U.S. soldiers build relationships through information exchanges
April 24, 2018 — Soldiers with the Armed Forces of the Republic of Tajikistan and the U.S. Army worked together in a 24-hour operation to share tactics, techniques and procedures, April 24, 2018. This exercise was part of a three-week, military-to-military engagement between the Tajikistan Peacekeeping Battalion of the Mobile Forces and the 648th Military Engagement Team, Georgia Army National Guard, involving border security and mountain warfare techniques... MORE

Tajik soldiers return from reacting to an ambush at a traffic control point at a mountain training camp outside of Dushanbe, Tajikistan, April 24, 2018, during an exercise to exchange tactics between Tajik and U.S. forces. This information exchange was part of a larger military-to-military engagement taking place with the Tajikistan Peacekeeping Battalion of the Mobile Forces and the 648th Military Engagement Team, Georgia Army National Guard, involving border security tactics and techniques.

Religious support and coordination lead to success on two fronts
April 23, 2018 — When U.S. Army Chaplain (Maj.) Pinkie Fischer first met with Imams from the Jordan Armed Forces she didn’t know that their religious affairs exercise would affect the lives of local orphans just two weeks later. The idea came out while discussing ways to combat religious extremism at the Jordanian Center for Countering Extremism on April 11... MORE

U.S. Army Maj. John Salazar, an information operations officer with U.S. Army Central teaches a resident of the Amman SOS Children’s Village how to do a fist bump April 23. Salazar was part of a donation visit to the village that was arranged by Jordan Armed Forces Imams in coordination with U.S. Chaplains as part of ongoing coordination between the two partner nation militaries. Events like these help to build trust between service members and citizens of different nations.

Links

USEFUL LINKS

Legal

Component Commands

General

Resources