An official website of the United States Government 
Here's how you know

Official websites use .gov

.gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS

A lock ( lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Centcom Commander Outlines Regional Challenges

You have accessed part of a historical collection on defense.gov. Some of the information contained within may be outdated and links may not function. Please contact the DOD Webmaster with any questions.

U.S. Central Command’s area of responsibility is dynamic, hopeful, challenging and dangerous, Centcom Commander Army Gen. Joseph L. Votel told the Senate Armed Forces Committee.


The general briefed the committee on Centcom’s budgetary requirements and its posture.

"It is an area of great contrast and contradiction," Votel said  of the Middle East, Central and South Asia, and the area known as the Levant.

Soldiers fire howitzer
Howitzer Fire
Soldiers assigned to the Field Artillery Squadron, 3rd Cavalry Regiment, fire their M777 howitzer on Firebase Saham, Iraq, Dec. 3, 2018. The 3rd Cavalry Regiment is deployed in support of Operation Inherent Resolve, working by, with and through the Iraqi security forces and coalition partners to defeat the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria in designated areas of Iraq and Syria.
Credit: Army Capt. Jason Welch
VIRIN: 181203-A-XI247-001C
Military vehicle moves through desert.
Desert Security
A Marine with Weapons Company, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, attached to Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force, Crisis Response-Central Command, provides security during a key leader engagement in support of Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve operations in Syria, Sept. 9, 2018.
Credit: Marine Corps Cpl. Gabino Perez
VIRIN: 180906-M-AC825-0046C
Soldier watches explosion during training
Explosive Exercise
A student watches an explosive ordnance disposal demonstration during training at the Besmaya Range Complex, Iraq, Dec. 16, 2018. The exercise was the last assessment needed for students to graduate from Iraq’s Counter Terrorism Service academy as operators.
Credit: Army Spc. Sarah K. Anwar
VIRIN: 181216-A-HO756-006Y

Related Stories