Second U.S. air defense command post established in the Middle East

Dec. 1 The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) and Bahrain inaugurated a bilateral Combined Command Post for air defense at Al Bar Camp on Monday, following the recent establishment of a similar partnership with Qatar. The facility will be jointly staffed by personnel from both nations and will function as a central hub for coordinated air defense operations and planning, according to a CENTCOM press release.

Bahrain, a key non-NATO ally, is home to the U.S. Navys 5th Fleet headquarters and the U.S.-led Combined Maritime Forces, which includes 47 nations. Approximately 9,000 U.S. military personnel are stationed across various bases in Bahrain.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony featured CENTCOM Commander Adm. Brad Cooper and Bahrains Prime Minister Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, who also serves as the crown prince and deputy supreme commander of the Armed Forces. Adm. Cooper stated, "Bahrain has been a critical partner in maintaining regional security for decades. This new Combined Command Post represents a major advancement in strengthening regional air defense infrastructure."

Earlier this year in July, U.S. and Bahraini officials signed a nuclear cooperation memorandum of understanding to promote the development of nuclear energy domestically and internationally. The signing event included U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Bahraini Foreign Minister Al Zayani, U.S. President Donald Trump, and King Al Khalifa.

This is CENTCOMs second bilateral air defense command post in the Middle East. On Nov. 3, the U.S. and Qatar inaugurated a similar facility at Al Udeid Air Base, which Adm. Cooper noted would "strengthen regional security cooperation now and in the future." Al Udeid hosts the largest U.S. military presence in the Middle East, with approximately 10,000 troops.

CENTCOM, headquartered at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Florida, is one of eleven unified combatant commands within the U.S. Department of Defense. Its Area of Responsibility covers 21 countries, including Iraq, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Syria, Jordan, and Egypt. U.S. forces operating under CENTCOM include personnel from the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Space Force.

Since its founding in 1983, CENTCOM has overseen major operations such as Desert Storm in 1991, the Afghanistan war from 2001-2021, Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2023, and Operation Inherent Resolve against ISIS in Iraq and Syria from 2014 onward. It has also played a role in the June conflict between Iran and Israel.

In December 2023, the U.S. and Bahrain, along with Canada, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Seychelles, and Spain, launched Operation Prosperity Guardian in response to Houthi attacks on maritime shipping in Yemen. Additionally, British forces collaborated with U.S. troops in April on a joint operation targeting Houthi military positions in Yemen.

Author: Sophia Brooks