News

Oct. 14, 2023
F-15E Strike Eagles bolster U.S. defense posture in the Middle East

The 494th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron’s F-15E Strike Eagle aircraft arrived in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, October 13, to bolster the U.S. posture and enhance air operations throughout the Middle East.
Aug. 28, 2023
AFCENT integrates with coalition partners during Agile Spartan

U.S. Air Forces Central (AFCENT) successfully concluded Operation Agile Spartan 23.2 on Aug. 26, showcasing the power of collective military efforts and a proactive approach to combat readiness. The multinational operation highlighted the transformative nature of decentralized airpower deployment,
Aug. 26, 2023
AFCENT Special Operations Task Group prepares JASSM capabilities

U.S. Ninth Air Force (Air Forces Central) service members demonstrated the capability for the MC-130J Commando II to load, unload, forward arm, and arm the aircraft with the Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missiles, or AGM-158 JASSMs, as part of Rapid Dragon, at Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar, Aug. 6, 2023.
Aug. 17, 2023
Stronger Together: AFCENT unveils coalition and combined forces central emblems

U.S. Air Forces Central unveiled new emblems symbolizing the power and unity of coalition and combined forces in a ceremony at the Combined Air Operation Center headquarters in Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar.
Aug. 14, 2023
Operation Agile Spartan: Coalition air forces launch Agile Combat Employment exercise

U.S. Air Forces Central, alongside regional partners throughout the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, launched Operation Agile Spartan 23.2, Aug. 14, a multinational operation aimed to demonstrate interoperability, improve response capabilities, and further security cooperation
July 26, 2023
Squadron of F-35 Lightning IIs arrive in U.S. Central Command Area of Responsibility

As part of a pre-announced Department of Defense deployment, a squadron of U.S. Air Force F-35 Lightning IIs has arrived in the U.S. Central Command Area of Responsibility.While deployed in support of Air Forces Central missions, the 421st Expeditionary Fighter Squadron from Hill AFB, Utah will help
July 25, 2023
Russian unprofessional behavior over Syria - 25 July 2023

“On 23 July, 2023 at 12:23 a.m. (EST), Russian fighter aircraft flew dangerously close to a U.S. MQ-9 drone on a defeat-ISIS mission, harassing the MQ-9 and deploying flares from a position directly overhead, with only a few meters of separation between aircraft. One of the Russian flares struck the
July 22, 2023
Air Forces Central conducts C-UAS exercise with UK, France, and regional partners

U.S. Air Forces Central (AFCENT) has successfully concluded a comprehensive Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems exercise on July 20, which aimed at enhancing integration, interoperability, and lethality among participating nations. The exercise brought together air forces from the United States,
July 18, 2023
AFCENT, ARCENT partner to test operational capabilities of CARPE Dronvm

U.S. Air Forces Central partnered with U.S. Army Central, McEntire Joint National Guard Base, and MITRE, to test the operational capabilities of CARPE Dronvm, an AFCENT initiative developed by MITRE for Counter Unmanned Aerial Systems reporting and alerting, on July 18, 2023. CARPE Dronvm’s
July 18, 2023
Russian unprofessional behavior over Syria - 16 July 2023

“On 16 July at 11:45 am Eastern Standard Time, Russian military aircraft engaged a U.S. aircraft in Syria in an unsafe and unprofessional manner. A U.S. MC-12 was conducting operations in support of the Coalitions Defeat ISIS mission was closely approached by a Russian Su-35 against established