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U.S. Airmen attached to the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing are pulled forward through the sand by United Arab Emirates servicemembers as they compete in a friendly tug-of-war exhibition in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Nov.11, 2025. Training and morale activities with host-nation partners deepen cultural understanding, reinforce shared goals, and create the kind of rapport that makes combined operations more effective. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. James Cason)

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251111-F-VR222-4398

U.S. Airmen attached to the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing set their feet and lean back while competing with United Arab Emirates servicemembers in a friendly tug-of-war exhibition in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Nov. 11, 2025. Events like this strengthen trust, build genuine personal relationships, and lay the foundation for smoother day-to-day cooperation across the mission. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. James Cason)

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A U.S. Airman attached to the 380th Expeditionary Wing prepares to anchor his team during a friendly tug-of-war exhibition with United Arab Emirates servicemembers in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Nov. 11, 2025. Training and morale activities with host-nation partners deepen cultural understanding, reinforce shared goals, and create the kind of rapport that makes combined operations more effective. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. James Cason)

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A U.S. Airman attached to the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing prepares to serve as the team anchor before competing in a friendly tug-of-war exhibition with United Arab Emirates servicemembers in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Nov. 11, 2025. Training and morale activities with host-nation partners deepen cultural understanding, reinforce shared goals, and create the kind of rapport that makes combined operations more effective. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. James Cason)

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251111-F-VR222-4291

U.S. Airmen attached to the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing, and United Arab Emirates servicemembers compete in a friendly tug-of-war exhibition in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Nov. 11, 2025. Events like this strengthen trust, build genuine personal relationships, and lay the foundation for smoother day-to-day cooperation across the mission. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. James Cason)

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U.S. Airmen attached to the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing shake hands with United Arab Emirates servicemembers before competing in a friendly tug-of-war exhibition in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Nov. 11, 2025. These engagements help unify teams, strengthen interoperability, and remind everyone that our collective success relies on the partnerships we build beyond the workday. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. James Cason)

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251111-F-VR222-4191

U.S. Airmen attached to the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing perform warm-up sprints to prepare for a friendly tug-of-war exhibition against United Arab Emirates servicemembers in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Nov. 11, 2025. Training and morale activities with host-nation partners deepen cultural understanding, reinforce shared goals, and create the kind of rapport that makes combined operations more effective. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. James Cason)

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U.S. Airmen attached to the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing stretch before competing against United Arab Emirates servicemembers in a friendly tug-of-war exhibition in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Nov. 11, 2025. Events like this strengthen trust, build genuine personal relationships, and lay the foundation for smoother day-to-day cooperation across the mission. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. James Cason)

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U.S. Airmen attached to the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing, and United Arab Emirates servicemembers compete in a friendly tug-of-war exhibition in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Nov. 11, 2025. Events like this strengthen trust, build genuine personal relationships, and lay the foundation for smoother day-to-day cooperation across the mission. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. James Cason)

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U.S. Airmen attached to the 380th Expeditionary Wing start to lose ground during the third round of a friendly tug-of-war exhibition with United Arab Emirates servicemembers in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Nov. 11, 2025. Events like this strengthen trust, build genuine personal relationships, and lay the foundation for smoother day-to-day cooperation across the mission. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. James Cason)

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A U.S. Airman attached to the 380th Expeditionary Wing shakes with the effort of holding his ground during the third round of a friendly tug-of-war exhibition with United Arab Emirates servicemembers in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Nov. 11, 2025. These engagements help unify teams, strengthen interoperability, and remind everyone that our collective success relies on the partnerships we build beyond the workday. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. James Cason)

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United Arab Emirates servicemembers compete with U.S. Airmen attached to the 380th Expeditionary Wing during a friendly tug-of-war exhibition in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Nov. 11, 2025. Training and morale activities with host-nation partners deepen cultural understanding, reinforce shared goals, and create the kind of rapport that makes combined operations more effective. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. James Cason)

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A U.S. Airman attached to the 380th Expeditionary Wing anchors the team during the third round of a friendly tug-of-war exhibition with United Arab Emirates servicemembers in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Nov. 11, 2025. These engagements help unify teams, strengthen interoperability, and remind everyone that our collective success relies on the partnerships we build beyond the workday. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. James Cason)

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U.S. Airmen attached to the 380th Expeditionary Wing lean back and get low during the third round of a friendly tug-of-war exhibition with United Arab Emirates servicemembers in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Nov. 11, 2025. Events like this strengthen trust, build genuine personal relationships, and lay the foundation for smoother day-to-day cooperation across the mission. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. James Cason)

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Fatigue starts to set in for a U.S. Airman attached to the 380th Expeditionary Wing during the third round of a friendly tug-of-war exhibition with United Arab Emirates servicemembers in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Nov. 11, 2025. Training and morale activities with host-nation partners deepen cultural understanding, reinforce shared goals, and create the kind of rapport that makes combined operations more effective. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. James Cason)

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U.S. Airmen attached to the 380th Expeditionary Wing brace themselves during the second round of a friendly tug-of-war exhibition with United Arab Emirates servicemembers in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Nov. 11, 2025. These engagements help unify teams, strengthen interoperability, and remind everyone that our collective success relies on the partnerships we build beyond the workday. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. James Cason)

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U.S. Airmen attached to the 380th Expeditionary Wing pull with maximum effort during the second round of a friendly tug-of-war exhibition with United Arab Emirates servicemembers in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Nov. 11, 2025. Events like this strengthen trust, build genuine personal relationships, and lay the foundation for smoother day-to-day cooperation across the mission. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. James Cason)

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U.S. Airmen attached to the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing compete in a friendly tug-of-war exhibition with United Arab Emirates servicemembers in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Nov. 11, 2025. These engagements help unify teams, strengthen interoperability, and remind everyone that our collective success relies on the partnerships we build beyond the workday. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. James Cason)

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Tug of war: Building partnerships

Published Dec. 2, 2025
By Master Sgt. James Cason
380th Air Expeditionary Wing

U.S. Central Command --

Airmen assigned to the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing compete with Emirati servicemembers in a friendly tug of war exhibition.

380AEW Article

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