Officials from the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) and the Kingdom of Bahrain inaugurated a new joint air defense command center in an official ceremony held on December 1 at Camp Ras Al Barr, marking a step forward in strengthening the strategic defense partnership between the two countries.
The opening ceremony was attended by Admiral Brad Cooper, commander of U.S. Central Command, alongside His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander of the Bahrain Defense Forces, and Prime Minister Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa. The leaders emphasized the long-standing cooperation between Bahrain and the United States in regional security.
Admiral Cooper stated that Bahrain has always been a key partner in maintaining regional stability, adding that the new joint command center represents an important step in enhancing the region’s air defense infrastructure.
The new center will handle planning, coordination, and management of integrated air defense operations, with participation from both U.S. and Bahraini forces. It is the second dual air defense command center established by U.S. Central Command in the region.
As a major non-NATO ally, Bahrain hosts the U.S. Fifth Fleet headquarters, in addition to the U.S.-led Combined Maritime Forces, which include 47 member nations.
