Trump named the new commander to lead troops in the Middle East, Africa
President Donald Trump has nominated the three Star Navy Admiral who played a key role in the United States bombing campaign against Houthi to lead the US Central Command, the top position responsible for US military operations in 21 countries in the Middle East and North Africa.
If confirmed by the Senate, Deputy Admiral Brad Cooper will receive the fourth star and replace General Michael “Erik” Kurilla, who is expected to retire this summer.
Trump has also nominated the Lieutenant Air Force General Dagvin RM Anderson to lead the US African command. He is currently serving at the Chief of Staff of the joint and will replace General Michael Langley.
Deputy Admiral Brad Cooper of the US Navy Commander Speaking during a press conference in front of USS Port Royal (CG 73) Guided-Missile Cruiser at Al-Shuaiba Port, 35 km south of Kuwait City, on June 6, 2022.
Yasser Al-Zayyat/AFP via Getty Images, File
Cooper, a 1989 graduate from the US Navy Academy, led the Navy for Centcom as the 5th Head of the US Fleet, and he encouraged the initial efforts to mobilize artificial intelligence, armed drones and ships that were not done in the region. He was tapped to serve as Kurilla’s representative in February 2024.
In both roles, Cooper helped oversee the attack on Houthi guerrillas in Yemen, the 16 -month military campaign left by Trump this spring after the operation only showed a simple impact on the ability of the group supported by Iran to reunite.
According to Centcom, Cooper led 100 attacks in the Yemen section controlled by Houthi when he became the 5th fleet commander, destroying the drone and the ability of the group missiles used by Houthi to harass commercial ships in the Red Sea.
He also helped lead troops in building a humanitarian pier off the coast of Gaza ordered by President Joe Biden who was disturbed by a setback.
The area of Centcom’s responsibility is the main focus for Trump, who swores in the campaign path that he will “quickly restore stability in the Middle East” and “Restore the world to peace.”
US Navy Admiral Deputy Brad Cooper, spoke at an event at an exhibition and international defense conference in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, February 21, 2023.
Jon Gambrell/AP, File
That goal, however, has been proven difficult to understand when the war in Gaza dragged through the second year and Iranian officials rejected speculation that the nuclear agreement with the US was close.
Last week, Trump said he thought the ceasefire was close to Gaza and there was still a possibility that the US could find similarities with Iran.
“They don’t want to be blown up,” he said.
Kurilla, who took over Centcom in 2022, led US military operations to defend Israel against attacks from Iran. The effort is widely seen as success.
