Admiral Brad Cooper has been appointed commander of the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), responsible for American military operations in the Middle East, replacing General Michael Kurilla who has served in the position since April 2022. Cooper, a naval warfare officer by training, has served as CENTCOM deputy commander since February and previously commanded U.S. naval forces in the Middle East for three years – a role in which he led the Fifth Fleet and headed multinational naval cooperation in the region.