U.S. Navy Adm. Brad Cooper assumed command of U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), succeeding U.S. Army Gen. Michael Erik Kurilla.

Kurilla officially relinquished command to Adm. Cooper during a change of command ceremony held at the Tampa Convention Center on Friday. 

Before assuming command, Adm. Cooper served as deputy commander of CENTCOM.

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… pic.twitter.com/2D8haaAQF4

— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) August 8, 2025

A 1989 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, Cooper holds a master’s degree in strategic intelligence from the National Intelligence University. He will oversee U.S. military operations across 21 countries in the Middle East and Central Asia from CENTCOM’s headquarters at MacDill Air Force Base.

Kurilla, who took command in April 2022, oversaw more than 15 major combined combat operations, including Operations Rough Rider and Midnight Hammer, targeting terrorist networks. 

“It has been the honor of my life to have been their commander,” Kurilla said. “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.”

Cooper, who praised CENTCOM’s record under Kurilla said he was “deeply grateful” for the opportunity to lead.