U.S. Central Command

U.S. Army Crew Safely Rescued After Helicopter Lost at Sea TAMPA, Fla. — At 7:33 p.m. ET on June 8, two crew members from a U.S. Army AH-64 Apache were rescued by American forces after their helicopter went down near the coast of Oman while patrolling regional waters. The Soldiers were safely rescued within approximately two hours and are in stable condition. The cause of the incident is under investigation. Rescue efforts were led by U.S. Naval Forces Central Command and the 82nd Airborne Division, with support from U.S. Air Force and Navy units including U.S. 5th Fleet’s Task Force 59. @U_S_CENTCOM

Adm. Brad Cooper, CENTCOM commander, briefed the Defense subcommittee for the House Appropriations Committee today in Washington, D.C., on U.S. military operational priorities in the Middle East. Cooper will also brief the committee in the Senate tomorrow. These sessions follow public briefings to the Armed Services Committees last month. @U_S_CENTCOM

U.S. forces across the Middle East remain vigilant and ready. @U_S_CENTCOM

Sailors aboard USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) conduct night flight operations while transiting the Arabian Sea. George H.W. Bush is one of two aircraft carriers currently operating in the Middle East. @U_S_CENTCOM

The officer of the deck aboard USS Michael Murphy (DDG 112) observes a merchant vessel while the guided-missile destroyer enforces the U.S. blockade against Iran in the Arabian Sea. As of June 7, CENTCOM forces have redirected 132 commercial vessels and disabled 6 to ensure compliance. @U_S_CENTCOM

Earlier today, U.S. forces in the Middle East shot down two Iranian one-way attack drones that threatened international maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz. American forces remain postured and ready to continue defending against Iranian aggression. @U_S_CENTCOM

Maj. Enkhtuvshin Namjildorj from the Mongolian Air Force talks about M4 familiarization training during Exercise Regional Cooperation 26. U.S. forces and our partners are stronger when we train and operate together. @U_S_CENTCOM

U.S. Sailors and Marines aboard USS Tripoli (LHA 7) rappel out of an MH-60S Sea Hawk while the ship sails in the Arabian Sea. @U_S_CENTCOM

CENTCOM Forces Defeat Missiles, Drones Launched by Iran TAMPA, Fla. — U.S. forces intercepted multiple Iranian ballistic missiles and drones launched by Iran toward the Strait of Hormuz and Gulf neighbors, June 5. Iran fired seven ballistic missiles toward Kuwait and Bahrain hours after U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) shot down four Iranian one-way attack drones that were launched toward the Strait of Hormuz. The attack drones posed an immediate threat to regional maritime traffic. U.S. forces subsequently struck Iranian coastal surveillance radar sites in Goruk and on Qeshm Island to defend against further maritime attacks. Initial assessments indicate six of the missiles launched by Iran were intercepted and a seventh did not reach its intended target. There are currently no reports of harm to U.S. personnel, and Iranian claims of damaging U.S. 5th fleet headquarters in Bahrain are false. CENTCOM forces remain vigilant and postured to continue responding to unwarranted Iranian aggression in self-defense. @U_S_CENTCOM

Moments ago, CENTCOM forces shot down four Iranian one-way attack drones that were launched toward the Strait of Hormuz. The attack drones posed an immediate threat to regional maritime traffic. U.S. forces subsequently struck Iranian coastal surveillance radar sites in Goruk and on Qeshm Island to defend against further attacks. American forces remain vigilant and postured to respond to unjustified Iranian aggression in self-defense. @U_S_CENTCOM

During a recent trip to the Middle East, Adm. Brad Cooper, CENTCOM commander, met with senior leaders from Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait and Jordan. He also met with deployed U.S. service members, recognized exceptional performers, and presided over the leadership transition for U.S. Army Central. @U_S_CENTCOM

USS Tripoli (LHA 7) transits the Arabian Sea as the amphibious assault ship supports the ongoing U.S. blockade against Iran. U.S. forces have redirected 129 commercial vessels and disabled 6 to ensure compliance. @U_S_CENTCOM

🚫 CLAIM: Iran claims it fired warning shots at U.S. warships in the Gulf of Oman, forcing American vessels to “retreat” toward the Indian Ocean. FALSE. ✅TRUTH: Iranian forces did NOT attack or fire at U.S. Navy warships. Doing so would be a gross violation of the ceasefire. U.S. forces continue to operate freely in regional waters while fully enforcing the ongoing blockade against Iran. @U_S_CENTCOM

Maj. Christian Carter from the Massachusetts National Guard highlights land navigation training held this week at Regional Cooperation 26 in Montana. Military personnel from central and south Asian countries as well as National Guardsmen from 10 states are participating in the ongoing exercise to strengthen trust, interoperability and relationships. @U_S_CENTCOM

U.S. Army Central & Third Army Conducts Change of Command SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. — U.S. Army Central (ARCENT) and Third Army conducted a change of command ceremony June 4 in the Middle East, marking the transfer of leadership from Lt. Gen. Patrick Frank to Lt. Gen. Kevin Leahy. The change of command was symbolized through the traditional passing of the colors, representing the transfer of responsibility and trust between commanders. Adm. Brad Cooper, commander of U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), presided over the ceremony and praised the accomplishments of ARCENT under Frank’s leadership. Cooper highlighted the organization’s role in theater defense, humanitarian assistance, logistics, communications, and joint force warfighting excellence in recent years. “Over the last 47 months in command, Lt. Gen. Frank has been an extraordinary Soldier, diplomat, warfighter, and transformational leader,” Cooper said. “The accomplishments of U.S. Army Central during this period will be remembered for years to come.” Frank took command of ARCENT in July 2022, making him the longest-serving commander in ARCENT history. He departs to assume the deputy commander role at CENTCOM. Cooper welcomed Lt. Gen. Leahy, citing his extensive operational experience, deep understanding of the region, and decades of leadership across the Army. Leahy arrives at ARCENT after temporarily serving as CENTCOM’s acting deputy commander. Cooper praised Leahy’s leadership and service to the CENTCOM mission and expressed confidence in his continued contributions as he assumes command of ARCENT. During his outgoing remarks, Frank thanked Soldiers, leaders, and families across the command for their commitment and sacrifice. He emphasized the importance of conducting the ceremony among deployed Soldiers actively supporting operations in the region. “There is no more fitting place to conduct a change of command than here in theater . . . surrounded by the Soldiers who are executing the mission every day,” Frank said. “I could not be more proud of what this team has accomplished.” ARCENT is the Army Service Component Command for CENTCOM and is responsible for all land-based operations, partnerships, and readiness in the Middle East and Central Asia. @U_S_CENTCOM

U.S. Space Forces Central, CENTCOM's space component, holds the ultimate high ground across the Middle East as America's warfighters execute missions in support of regional security and stability. Space Force has offensive and defensive capabilities ready to be employed 24/7. Lean more: 🔗 @U_S_CENTCOM

CENTCOM Disables Non-Compliant Vessel in Arabian Gulf TAMPA, Fla. — U.S. forces disabled an unladen oil tanker that was attempting to sail toward an Iranian port on the Arabian Gulf, June 2. U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) enforced blockade measures against Botswana-flagged M/T Lexie as it transited international waters toward Kharg Island. The ship’s crew ignored repeated warnings, failing to comply with directions from U.S. forces multiple times over a 24-hour period. A U.S. aircraft ultimately disabled the vessel by firing a Hellfire missile into the ship’s engine room, preventing the tanker from reaching Iran. CENTCOM began implementing the blockade of all maritime traffic entering and exiting Iranian ports on April 13. U.S. forces have disabled six commercial vessels and redirected 122 as the ceasefire with Iran continues. @U_S_CENTCOM

Exercise Regional Cooperation 26 began at Fort Harrison, Montana, yesterday, with opening ceremonies and an obstacle course. Regional Cooperation is the largest CENTCOM training exercise with central and south Asian nations. @U_S_CENTCOM

U.S. Marines assigned to Maritime Raid Force, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, conduct fast rope training aboard USS Tripoli (LHA 7) in the Arabian Sea. @U_S_CENTCOM