U.S. Central Command

U.S. Navy aircraft launch from the flight deck of USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) as the ship sails in the Arabian Sea supporting security in the Middle East. @U_S_CENTCOM

U.S. Special Operations Command Central Celebrates Transfer of Leadership TAMPA, Fla. — U.S. Special Operations Command Central (SOCCENT) held a change of command ceremony Aug. 14 in Tampa, marking the transfer of leadership from Maj. Gen. Jasper Jeffers to Rear Adm. Thomas Donovan. Lt. Gen. Patrick Frank, deputy commander of U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), presided over the ceremony and praised SOCCENT’s accomplishments under Jeffers’ leadership. “During his 25 months in command, Maj. Gen. Jeffers has led with great dedication and courage as a forward-thinking and innovative leader,” Frank said. “His accomplishments will have a lasting impact.” Jeffers assumed command in June 2024, leading SOCCENT in planning and conducting special operations across CENTCOM’s 21-country area of responsibility in the Middle East, Central Asia, and South Asia. He is now slated to continue serving as commander of the International Stabilization Force supporting the peace plan for Gaza. During his outgoing remarks, Jeffers thanked troops, leaders, and families across the command for their dedication and selfless service. “If I have to use an emotion to describe what I feel today, it is gratitude,” Jeffers said. “These ceremonies aren’t about the command; they are about the people. You all are being and representing the best in America. SOCCENT, thank you. It’s been an honor to serve with you.” SOCCENT’s new commander, Donovan, arrives after leading the Special Reconnaissance and Enabling Command for U.S. Special Operations Command at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa. A Portsmouth, Virginia native, he began his career as a Navy SEAL in 1996 after graduating from the U.S. Naval Academy. @U_S_CENTCOM

U.S. Sailors and Marines conduct maintenance on a MH-60S Sea Hawk on the flight deck of USS Boxer (LHD 4) while deployed to the Middle East. @U_S_CENTCOM

🚫 CLAIM: Over the past 48 hours, multiple media outlets have reported several false claims related to USS Abraham Lincoln's (CVN 72) deployment to the Middle East. One report alleged seven Sailors died in a brawl aboard the aircraft carrier and others have recently suggested a spike in suicidal ideations. These reports are FALSE.  ✅ FACT: USS Abraham Lincoln has maintained among the highest crew reenlistment rates (84.4%) of all aircraft carriers in the U.S. Navy. The Sailors and Marines of the Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group remain resilient and resolved after more than 260 days at sea, 10,000 aircraft flights, and 1.5 million pounds of ordnance expended. No service members aboard the aircraft carrier have died, and the one Sailor who fell overboard Aug. 3 was quickly and safely recovered. The rampant misreporting on Abraham Lincoln's historic deployment is a disservice to our men and women in uniform and their loved ones. @U_S_CENTCOM

CENTCOM Launches First-Ever Multinational Attack Drone Task Force TAMPA, Fla. — On Aug. 13, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) announced efforts to establish the first-ever multi-domain, multinational attack drone task force. The unit, called Task Force Falcon Strike, will employ one-way attack drones consisting of unmanned systems from above, on, and below the sea operated by military support staff from the United States and regional partners. Falcon Strike’s launch occurs nine months after CENTCOM established Task Force Scorpion Strike, the U.S. military's first dedicated one-way attack drone squadron in the Middle East. Scorpion Strike rapidly achieved key operational milestones, including the first-ever launch of an aerial attack drone from a U.S. Navy warship last December. The squadron also employed one-way unmanned aerial systems during Operation Epic Fury and during strikes on Iranian port facilities in July using unmanned attack vessels at sea. “Task Force Falcon Strike will expand on Scorpion Strike’s success given the tremendous innovation happening among our regional allies and partners,” said Adm. Brad Cooper, CENTCOM commander. “Integrating and deploying our new capabilities together will help us rapidly realize the new possibilities that are on the horizon.” CENTCOM has initiated the process of consulting with and officially inviting regional partners. As regional partners formally join, Task Force Falcon Strike will scale attack drone capabilities across the Middle East into a unified multi-domain, multinational deterrent. “The United States military has a lot of strong partnerships and friends in the region,” said Cooper. “We are collectively stronger when we integrate and deploy new capabilities together.” Personnel from U.S. Special Operations Command Central (SOCCENT), which launched Scorpion Strike, will lead Falcon Strike’s staff of U.S. and regional representatives. Headquartered at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, SOCCENT plans and conducts special operations across CENTCOM’s 21-country area of responsibility in the Middle East, Central Asia, and South Asia. @U_S_CENTCOM

A U.S. Air Force KC-135R Stratotanker refuels F-16 fighter jets over the Middle East. @U_S_CENTCOM

An F/A-18 fighter jet launches from the flight deck of USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) while the ship sails in regional waters and supports enforcement of America’s 🇺🇸 steel wall blockade against Iran. As of Aug. 12, U.S. forces have redirected 59 commercial vessels, disabled 3 and boarded 2 to ensure full compliance with the blockade. @U_S_CENTCOM

Earlier today, CENTCOM forces disabled the steering gear of Panama-flagged M/V Vela Nova as the cargo vessel attempted to transit the Gulf of Oman and violate the U.S. blockade against Iran by sailing toward an Iranian port. A U.S. Navy MH-60 helicopter fired two hellfire missiles into the Vela Nova’s engine room after the ship’s civilian crew ignored repeated warnings from American forces. The ship is no longer transiting to Iran in violation of the U.S. blockade, which remains in full effect. As of Aug. 11, CENTCOM has redirected 55 commercial vessels attempting to run the blockade, disabled 3 non-compliant vessels, and boarded 2. U.S. forces operating in the Middle East are highly vigilant, lethal, and ready. @U_S_CENTCOM

Did you know that CENTCOM originated in the 1980s? The Iranian Revolution and the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan prompted President Jimmy Carter to establish the Rapid Deployment Joint Task Force (RDJTF) in March 1980, creating a flexible force to protect U.S. interests in the Middle East. Recognizing the need for a more enduring presence, on Jan. 1, 1983, President Ronald Reagan transformed the RDJTF into United States Central Command. @U_S_CENTCOM

A U.S. Air Force F-16 fighter jet takes off from a base in the Middle East. @U_S_CENTCOM

U.S. sailors stand watch on the bridge of USS Ross (DDG 71). Ross is one of over 20 U.S. warships deployed to the Middle East supporting military missions, including strict enforcement of the U.S. blockade against Iran. As of Aug. 9, CENTCOM has redirected 55 commercial vessels, disabled 2, and boarded 2 to ensure compliance. @U_S_CENTCOM

U.S. Sailors conduct maintenance on F/A-18E Super Hornets on the flight deck of aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) to ensure carrier strike group assets remain mission ready to enforce the U.S. blockade against Iran. As of Aug. 8, CENTCOM redirected 53 commercial vessels, disabled 2, and boarded 2. The U.S. military has also permitted more than 30 ships to pass through the blockade for humanitarian aid. @U_S_CENTCOM

A U.S. sailor stands watch in the combat information center aboard USS Mason (DDG 87) as the guided-missile destroyer sails in regional waters supporting the U.S. blockade against Iranian ports and coastal areas. As of Aug. 7, CENTCOM forces have redirected 51 commercial vessels, disabled 2, and boarded 2 to ensure compliance. @U_S_CENTCOM

An aircrew aboard a U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker refuels a F-35A stealth fighter jet in the skies over the Middle East. @U_S_CENTCOM

U.S. Marines conduct weapons familiarization training aboard USS Portland (LPD 27). @U_S_CENTCOM