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Week in photos

CENTCOM year in review 2022: the fight against ISIS

USCENTCOM

TAMPA, Fla. – Throughout 2022, US Central Command and partner forces conducted hundreds of operations against the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS). These operations degraded ISIS and removed a cadre of senior leaders from the battlefield, to include the emir of ISIS and dozens of regional leaders as well as hundreds of fighters. All these operations were part of the mission to degrade the terror group’s ability to direct and inspire destabilizing attacks in the region and globally, to include against the US homeland.

During calendar year 2022, CENTCOM conducted 313 total operations against ISIS in Iraq and Syria as follows:

In Syria:

108 partnered operations 14 US unilateral operations 215 ISIS operatives detained 466 ISIS operatives killed

In Iraq:

191 partnered operations 159 ISIS operatives detained

At least 220 ISIS operatives killed

These operations were conducted under the authority of the CENTCOM commander, who retains authority for operations against ISIS in Iraq and Syria, and under the command of Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve. No US forces were injured or killed in these operations. Our local partners—the Syrian Democratic Forces and the Iraqi Security Forces—have and continue to play a critical role ensuring the enduring defeat of ISIS.

One year ago this month, the US security relationship with Iraq fully transitioning to a role of advising, assisting, and enabling Iraqi Security Forces. Iraqi Security Forces are now leading successful unilateral offensive operations at the brigade level and making impressive strides in combined arms operations.

“Over the past year, Iraqi Security Forces demonstrated an ability to continue operations to degrade ISIS, to aggressively pursue the terror group in Iraq, and to improve security and stability within Iraq,” said General Michael “Erik” Kurilla, CENTCOM commander. “Today, they display a high level of competence, professionalism, and progress in leading tactical operations, but there is still much work to be done.”

“In Syria, the Syrian Democratic Forces continue to display the will, skill, and ability to aggressively root out ISIS leaders and fighters,” Kurilla continued.

“The emerging, reliable and steady ability of our Iraqi and Syrian partner forces to conduct unilateral operations to capture and kill ISIS leaders allows us to maintain steady pressure on the ISIS network,”

See CENTCOM Page 15

NDAA raises pay for 2023

by Airman 1st Class Zachary Foster

6th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

Cost of living is on the rise, but so is the pay for service members!

Congress recently passed the National Defense Authorization Act, providing guidance on military funding and performance for the upcoming year.

The act goes into effect Jan. 1, 2023, and key aspects are aimed towards gradually improving quality of life for service members across the world.

The NDAA authorized a 4.6% pay raise for all military service members and Department of Defense employees. In addition, basic allowance for housing funding has seen on average a 20% raise nationwide.

BAH rates for the Tampa Bay metropolitan area, including St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Brandon and Riverview, can be found at www. travel.dod.mil/allowances or www.defensetravel.dod.mil.

MacDill Air Force Base has resources available to service members and DOD employees directed towards utilizing this additional funding responsibly.

Appointments can be made with MacDill’s Military Family and Read-

Photo by Airman 1st Class Zachary Foster Kimberly Bromell, Military and Family Readiness Center financial advisor, schedules a financial consultation at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, Dec. 19, 2022. MFRC staff provide free financial consultations to all Department of Defense personnel across the installation.

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