U. S. Central Command (USCENTCOM)

U.S. Central Command Bids Farewell to Gen. Kurilla, Welcomes New Leadership U.S. Army Gen. Michael Erik Kurilla, the outgoing commander of U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), relinquished command today to U.S. Navy Adm. Brad Cooper during a change of command ceremony held at the Tampa Convention Center. Prior to assuming command, Adm. Cooper served as deputy commander of CENTCOM. Multiple Department of Defense officials attended the event as well as distinguished defense leaders from partner nations around the world. Gen. Kurilla assumed command of CENTCOM in April 2022. During his time as commander, he led U.S. military efforts in the Middle East maintaining regional stability and security as well as the enduring defeat of ISIS. He led the planning and execution of over 15 major combined combat operations, including Operations Rough Rider and Midnight Hammer. "I know that under the leadership of Adm. Brad Cooper, with the support of the Defense Department and Joint Staff, the counsel and contributions of our allies and partners, and support of our headquarters and component teams, the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, Coastguardsmen, and Guardians of Central Command who serve this nation on the front lines of freedom will always succeed," said Gen. Kurilla. "It has been the honor of my life to have been their commander." Adm. Cooper is a 1989 graduate of the U.S Naval Academy and holds a master's degree in strategic intelligence from the National Intelligence University. As the commander of CENTCOM, Adm. Cooper will have oversight of all U.S. military missions throughout the 21-country area of responsibility which includes the Middle East and Central Asia. "U.S. Central Command and the entire joint force have performed exceptionally well under the leadership of Gen. Kurilla, helping to bolster partnerships, increase lethality of U.S. forces, and defend Americans and civilians abroad," said Adm. Cooper. "I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to lead America's sons and daughters as we support the important mission of enhancing regional security and stability in the Central Command region."

CENTCOM Pays Tribute to Founding Commander with Building Dedication U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) held a dedication ceremony on August 7, to formally name its headquarters building in honor of its first commander, the late U.S. Army Gen. Robert Kingston. “Today’s ceremony is about so much more than a name on a building,” said Gen. Erik Kurilla, CENTCOM Commander. “It’s about ensuring the legacy of excellence lives on through every Soldier, Sailor, Airman, Marine, Coastguardsman, Guardian, and Civil Servant that walks through our doors.” The newly dedicated headquarters building hosts many of CENTCOM’s civilian and military employees supporting deployed troops, U.S. military bases, and partner nations throughout the area of responsibility. Robert Charles Kingston was born July 16, 1928, in Brookline, Massachusetts, and joined the Army at 18. His decorations include the Distinguished Service Cross, two Silver Stars and four Legions of Merit. He was also inducted into the U.S. Army Ranger and Command and General Staff College halls of fame. Kingston, who spent more than 36 years in the Army, served in the Korean and Vietnam wars. In 1981, he became Commanding General of the Rapid Deployment Joint Task Force, a predecessor of Central Command, headquartered at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa. The task force started in 1980 after the Iranian Revolution and was also used to discourage the Soviets, then occupying Afghanistan, from moving farther into the Persian Gulf region. At the time, the task force was responsible for 19 countries from the Horn of Africa to Afghanistan. CENTCOM was officially established on Jan. 1, 1983. As its name implies, it covers the "central" area of the globe located between the European, Africa and Indo-Pacific Commands. Kingston received his fourth star when he took over the newly named Command in the same month of its inception. “U.S. Central Command is about more than the edifice of concrete and steel we find ourselves in today,” stated Gen. Kurilla. “It is about the warrior spirit that rests in our halls, lives in our service members downrange, and accompanies our warrior into combat. It is the spirit instilled by Robert Kingston, and it is a spirit worth remembering. I’m proud to dedicate the headquarters building of U.S. Central Command in his honor.” CENTCOM directs and enables military operations and activities with allies and partners to increase regional security and stability in support of enduring U.S. interests across its 21-countrry area of responsibility including: Afghanistan, Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, the United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, and Yemen. In addition, it hosts 46 Coalition nations at CENTCOM headquarters in Tampa. https://xmrrwallet.com/cmx.pow.ly/ZRoi50WBY94

U.S. Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II's signal "thank you" to a KC-135 Stratotanker after receiving fuel during a combat patrol over the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility.

U.S. Air Force F-16C Fighting Falcons prepare to take off on a combat patrol within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility.

An F/A-18F Super Hornet launches from the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) during night-flight operations in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility.

U.S. Navy Aviation Ordnancemen transport munitions for aircraft attached to the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility.

An F/A-18F Super Hornet launches from the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) during flight operations in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility.⁩

U.S. Central Command’s incoming Chief of Staff, Maj. Gen. Richard Harrison, left, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers Chief Operating Officer, Brian Ford, right, address the crowd during Tampa Bay Buccaneers training camp Military Day, July 31, 2025. The event is an opportunity for active-duty military, veterans, and their families to enjoy a day of football, and interact with players and coaches.

On 31 July, the United States sanctioned five entities and one individual based in Iran, China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong SAR that have been involved in the procurement of technology and equipment in support of Iran’s unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) program. https://xmrrwallet.com/cmx.pow.ly/V4BW50Wyw35

A U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle completes refueling while flying over the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility.