Military

US Central Command normally deploys about 20,000 personnel in the Gulf region, including about 10,000 Navy sailors and Marines, 6,000 Air Force airmen, and 4,000 Army soldiers. The actual number can fluctuate substantially, with temporary rotation of forces participating in various exercises. In contrast to exercise activities in other theaters, many CENTCOM exercises receive limited or no publicity, reflecting the political sensitivity of the US military presence in the region.

USCENTCOM engagement activities include, first and foremost, current operations, as well as combined exercises, security assistance, combined training, combined education, military contacts, humanitarian assistance, and other activities. This level of activity mandates maintaining access to facilities and building strong relationships with regional leaders.

Since 1993, when CENTCOM had 138 exercises scheduled, CENTCOM has decreased exercises to the point where that in 1999, CENTCOM expected to conduct only 76, a reduction of 45%. During fiscal year 1997, CENTCOM conducted 62 air, land, sea, and special operations exercises. Of these 62 exercises, 30 were conducted using forces already in theater.

Joint and Coalition exercises provide the framework upon which Third Army/ARCENT builds its warfighting capability and supports USCENTCOM. During Fiscal Year 2001, ARCENT conducted ten joint, combined, and coalition exercises and two seminars in the United States and in the AOR. Third Army/ARCENT focuses on training all levels, from company small unit tactics to large-scale multi-national exercises.

Military-to-military contact also supports the Peacetime Engagement Strategy by improving relations with countries in the AOR through seminars, and individual and small group meetings. This interaction allows for discussion of issues, develops individual relationships, and builds trust, confidence, and cohesion between the US Army and those militaries of countries throughout the AOR.