USCENTCOM

• Establishment: United States Central Command (USCENTCOM) was established on January 1, 1983, to oversee American military operations in the Middle East, Central Asia, and parts of South Asia. • Origins in the Carter Doctrine: Its creation was a direct response to the 1979 Iranian Revolution and the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, reflecting the "Carter Doctrine," which declared the Persian Gulf a vital U.S. interest. • First Major Operation: USCENTCOM’s first major engagement was Operation Earnest Will (1987–1988), escorting reflagged Kuwaiti oil tankers during the Iran-Iraq War to ensure free navigation in the Persian Gulf. • Desert Storm Leadership: General H. Norman Schwarzkopf led CENTCOM during Operation Desert Storm (1991), orchestrating the coalition effort to expel Iraqi forces from Kuwait. • Headquarters Location: While its Area of Responsibility (AOR) stretches across 20 countries, from Egypt to Kazakhstan, USCENTCOM is headquartered at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Florida. • 9/11 and Afghanistan: After the September 11, 2001 attacks, CENTCOM directed Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan, marking the start of America’s longest war. • Operation Iraqi Freedom: CENTCOM was again at the forefront during the 2003 invasion of Iraq, overseeing the toppling of Saddam Hussein and subsequent operations in the country. • Multinational Cooperation: CENTCOM regularly coordinates with dozens of partner nations, hosting annual exercises like "Eager Lion" in Jordan to enhance regional military interoperability. • Counter-ISIS Campaign: CENTCOM directed Operation Inherent Resolve, the multinational effort to defeat ISIS in Iraq and Syria, coordinating airstrikes, special operations, and training of local forces. • Women in Command: In April 2022, General Michael "Erik" Kurilla became CENTCOM’s commander, but notably, in 2019, Major General Susan Henderson became the first woman to command a CENTCOM component, leading the 1st Theater Sustainment Command (Forward).