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The United States has escalated its military involvement in Yemen by bombing Houthi positions on Saturday, causing dozens of casualties among the fighters of the Iran-backed movement. Behind these strikes is the United States Central Command (Centcom), a crucial component of the American military strategy in the Middle East for decades.
Established in 1983 under the administration of Ronald Reagan, Centcom is one of the eleven unified combatant commands of the US Department of Defense. It is responsible for American military operations in a strategic region covering the Middle East, Central Asia, and parts of South Asia.
Based at MacDill Air Force Base in Florida, Centcom oversees missions aimed at protecting American interests and maintaining stability in a region often marked by geopolitical tensions and armed conflicts.
Centcom was created in response to the Iran hostage crisis (1979-1981) and the need to ensure an increased US military presence in the region. Its primary mission is to safeguard American interests within its area of responsibility, which spans 21 countries. It plays a key role in coordinating military operations, strengthening regional alliances, and managing crises.
Although initially designed to counter Soviet influence during the Cold War, Centcom refocused its mission after the fall of the USSR, emphasizing counterterrorism, regional stability, and securing energy resources.
Under the command of a four-star general (currently General Michael Erik Kurilla), Centcom integrates forces from the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Special Forces. It maintains forward bases in the region, such as Al-Udeid in Qatar and Camp Arifjan in Kuwait, enabling effective on-the-ground operations. Additionally, Centcom collaborates closely with regional allies like Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Israel, while forging partnerships with countries like India to address common threats.
Major Operations
Since its creation, Centcom has led major interventions, such as Operation Desert Storm in 1991, which liberated Kuwait from Iraqi occupation during the First Gulf War. In 2001, it launched Operation Enduring Freedom in response to the September 11 attacks, marking the beginning of the war in Afghanistan. In 2003, Centcom orchestrated the invasion of Iraq, resulting in the overthrow of Saddam Hussein.
Centcom was also behind the operation to capture Osama bin Laden, Operation Neptune Spear. More recently, it coordinated the international coalition against ISIS (the Islamic State), supporting local forces in Iraq and Syria to reclaim territory controlled by the terrorist group.
Funding
Centcom is financed by three main sources. The first comes from the base budget of the Department of Defense, which covers costs related to salaries, equipment maintenance, and training exercises.
The second source of funding comes from contingency operation credits, formerly known as Overseas Contingency Operations (OCO). Although these funds have decreased after the end of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan in 2021, they are still used for specific missions, such as counterterrorism strikes or support for regional allies.
Finally, the US Congress regularly allocates special credits to address specific crises, such as the fight against ISIS or tensions with Iran.
Centcom’s Arsenal
Centcom's arsenal is diverse and tailored to missions in a complex region. It includes fighter jets such as the F-16, F-22, and F-35, as well as drones like the MQ-9 Reaper for strikes and surveillance.
On the ground, Centcom uses armored vehicles such as the MRAP (Mine Resistant Ambush Protected) and M1 Abrams tanks for land operations. Special forces, such as the Navy SEALs, play a key role in high-precision missions.
At sea, it operates aircraft carriers like the USS Abraham Lincoln, destroyers, and nuclear submarines, ensuring a strong presence in the region. The Patriot missile system is used for air defense, while Tomahawk cruise missiles provide precision strikes.
For intelligence, Centcom relies on satellites, electronic listening systems, and cyber warfare capabilities to monitor enemies and disrupt their communications and command systems.
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