United States Central Command
/juˌnaɪtɪd steɪts ˌsentrəl kəˈmɑːnd/
/juˌnaɪtɪd steɪts ˌsentrəl kəˈmænd/
(abbreviation CENTCOM)
- a unit of the US military created in 1983 to replace the Rapid Deployment Force under the control of the US Secretary of Defense with its main base in Tampa, Florida. It includes forces from the army, air force, marines and navy and has been involved in military operations in Africa, the Middle East and Asia.