United States Air Forces Central Command (AFCENT)

United States Air Forces Central Command (AFCENT)
Unit name	United States Air Forces Central Command (AFCENT)
Country	United States
Branch	United States Air Force
Role	United States Central Command
Garrison	Al Udeid Air Base

Contents

United States Air Forces Central Command (AFCENT) is the air component of United States Central Command responsible for air operations across the Middle East, Central Asia, and parts of South Asia. It integrates airpower from the United States Air Force, coordinates with the United States Army Central, United States Naval Forces Central Command, United States Marine Corps forces, and partners such as Royal Air Force, Royal Australian Air Force, French Air and Space Force, and Qatar Emiri Air Force to support campaigns, contingencies, and deterrence missions.

Overview

AFCENT traces lineage from United States Central Command Air Forces (CENTAF) established in the 1980s amid tensions following the Iran–Iraq War and the Iranian Revolution. During Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm, CENTAF directed coalition air campaigns involving Coalition forces in the Gulf War, Royal Saudi Air Force, Kuwait Air Force, and aircraft such as EF-111 Raven and EA-6B Prowler. Post-1991, CENTAF oversaw enforcement of Iraq no-fly zones, supported Operation Southern Watch, and participated in Operation Enduring Freedom after the September 11 attacks. The command evolved through Iraq War (2003–2011), integrating with operations like Operation New Dawn and Operation Resolute Support. Recent history includes major roles in Operation Inherent Resolve against Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, partnering with Syrian Democratic Forces, Iraqi Counter Terrorism Service, Kurdistan Regional Government, and coalition members including United Kingdom, France, Germany, Canada, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, and Turkey.

AFCENT is headquartered at Al Udeid Air Base and functions under the command relationship with United States Central Command and senior leaders such as the Secretary of the Air Force and the Chief of Staff of the Air Force. Its organizational elements include a numbered air force echelon like Ninth Air Force (Air Forces Central), air expeditionary wings such as 379th Air Expeditionary Wing, 386th Air Expeditionary Wing, 379th Air Expeditionary Wing (Al Udeid), and staff directorates aligned to Joint Staff (United States), Combined Air Operations Center, and Coalition Air Forces. AFCENT integrates liaison with service components including United States Army Central, United States Naval Forces Central Command, Marine Corps Central Command, and external partners such as North Atlantic Treaty Organization liaison officers and regional militaries like United Arab Emirates Air Force and Bahrain Defence Force. Command and control nodes include the Combined Air Operations Center (CAOC) at Al Udeid and forward operating locations such as Al Dhafra Air Base and Ali Al Salem Air Base.

AFCENT conducts air superiority, close air support, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, airborne refueling, airlift, and precision strike missions supporting operations like Operation Inherent Resolve, Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and enforcement of No-Fly Zone over Iraq. It executes tasks including strategic bombing and tactical employment of platforms like AC-130 Spectre, MC-12 Liberty, EC-130 Compass Call, RC-135 Rivet Joint, and E-3 Sentry in coordination with partners including Coalition forces, Combined Joint Task Force headquarters, and host-nation air forces such as Jordanian Armed Forces and Egyptian Air Force. AFCENT supports humanitarian missions similar to responses during crises involving United Nations agencies, International Committee of the Red Cross, World Food Programme, and evacuation operations coordinating with United States Southern Command and allied airlift assets.

AFCENT leadership includes commanders drawn from United States Air Force senior officers with ties to positions such as the Commander, United States Central Command, deputy commanders from coalition partners including Royal Air Force officers, and chiefs of staff aligned with the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Notable leadership interactions have involved senior figures associated with CENTCOM commanders, coordination with ambassadors from United States Department of State, and engagement with defense ministers from Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Jordan, Iraq, and Turkey. AFCENT’s leadership participates in multinational forums such as Combined Maritime Forces planning conferences and Coalition air operations councils.