Notices

US Army celebrates 249 years of service, partnership

2024-06-13

For decades, the US Army's partnership with countries in the Middle East has been a bulwark against malign actors.

Share this article

US Army and Qatari soldiers work together through the mechanics and procedures of shooting, during sniper training at Exercise Eastern Action 19, on November 6, 2018, in Qatar. [US Army]
US Army and Qatari soldiers work together through the mechanics and procedures of shooting, during sniper training at Exercise Eastern Action 19, on November 6, 2018, in Qatar. [US Army]

This year marks the 249th anniversary of the US Army, the land service branch of the US military.

The US Army is the oldest branch of the US uniformed services -- predating the founding of the nation itself. It traces its roots back to the Continental Army, which was formed on June 14, 1775.

Since its founding, the US Army has fought to protect the nation, its people, its partners and their ideals at home and around the world.

In that time, it has established 190 battle streamers, which denote the campaigns fought by a service branch throughout history.

The US Army has 14 battle streamers associated with the War on Terror, including five associated with Afghanistan, seven with Iraq and two with Operation Inherent Resolve, the United States' and coalition partners' ongoing fight against the "Islamic State of Iraq and Syria" (ISIS).

The US Army retains over one million uniformed personnel, including over 461,000 active duty soldiers, 330,000 National Guardsmen and 176,000 reservists.

It represents about 46% of all US military personnel, more than any other branch.

Longtime partner in the Middle East

The United States is a longtime partner in the Middle East and has operated military bases in the region for decades with the permission of local governments.

Today, there are about 30,000 US troops scattered across the region, in addition to thousands more that Washington has temporarily deployed there, including on warships, since the Israel-Hamas war began in October.

Al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar, built in 1996, is the largest US military installation in the region and can house more than 10,000 troops.

The presence of US troops at the base "allows the United States to support a range of critical missions in the region and respond to challenges to our shared security," US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said December 19.

Al-Udeid was the evacuation point for tens of thousands of US and Afghan evacuees from Afghanistan in 2001.

The United States reached an agreement with Qatar to continue operating out of al-Udeid Air Base for another 10 years, CNN and Reuters reported January 3.

The US Army also has a presence in Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Oman and the United Arab Emirates. US troops in the Gulf reassure allies, carry out training and are deployed as needed throughout the region.

There are about 900 US troops in Syria and 2,500 in Iraq to train and advise local forces and to fight against ISIS and other militant groups, including Iran-backed proxies.

Hundreds of US forces in Jordan hold extensive exercises year-round and support Amman's operations against ISIS.

Do you like this article?


Captcha *

2024-06-24

You’re criminals and liars. For 249 years, America has been based on ethnic cleansing of the Red Indians. You’re criminals. Exactly as America did with the natives of its land, killing and displacing them and seizing their land, here are the criminal America and the criminal US administration and the Zionist war gang killing, displacing and arresting the Palestinian people. The occupation’s prisons are filled with innocent Palestinians. Shame and disgrace to you everywhere! You’re criminals. Allah willing, your punishment will be near at the hands of Allah Almighty who says “it will be, on the Day they see it, as though they had not remained [in the world] except for an afternoon or a morning thereof.” Allah has spoken the truth. I shall explain it to you because you’re a donkey who doesn’t know Arabic, which is the language of the people of heaven. It means that however long you live in this world, even if you live for a million years, on Judgement Day, you’ll be as if you only lived for a short while, like the morning or evening of a day. This is called the ‘world’, as it is derived from meanness and lowliness, o, you mean rascal. It’s not only you, but the entire misleading army which is defending the Zionist criminals. Allah willing, time will tell! And to Allah will come to meet those in dispute!

Reply
2024-06-22

Very good.

Reply
2024-06-20

A wonderful website!

Reply
2024-06-20

Good.

Reply
2024-06-20

America is the great devil. It's, together with its partner, Britain, the looter of peoples' wealth. They're the two official sponsors of the state of racism and genocide which is planted in the Arab body. It always invokes human rights despite its black history in military coups against elected presidents who were against its interests.

Reply
2024-06-18

Beautiful!

Reply

Beautiful!

Reply

2024-06-17

They support Amman against the American ISIS. How is that so???

Reply