IDF praises outgoing US CENTCOM chief & ‘true friend’ Michael Kurilla as Admiral Cooper takes over crucial post

Admiral Brad Cooper took over the post of Commander of the United States Central Command (US CENTCOM) last weekend, replacing General Michael Kurilla, who had extremely close working relations with the Israeli military.

CENTCOM oversees American military operations in the Middle East, including those against Iran, Hamas, Hezbollah, the Houthis in Yemen and the U.S. presence in Syria’s Kurdish regions.

IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir praised Kurilla as “a true friend of Israel.”

In a statement released by the IDF, Zamir said Kurilla’s leadership in joint operations “not only strengthened the bond between our two nations and led to a lasting personal friendship, but also laid the foundation for a safer and more secure future for our children and grandchildren.”

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

“Over the past three years, as the commander of CENTCOM, and from the beginning of the ‘Swords of Iron’ war through to operation ‘Rising Lion’, you have advanced American military support for Israel and reinforced regional cooperation. Your direct involvement has significantly enhanced Israel’s security and regional stability,” Zamir said.

The IDF chief was scheduled to attend the change-of-command ceremony in Tampa, Florida, in person, but changed his plans after the Israeli cabinet ordered the military to prepare to take control of the rest of the Gaza Strip.

Kurilla has been consistently praised by military officials in Israel, and among other accomplishments, received credit for pushing for the deployment of two U.S. carrier strike groups to the region after the Hamas Oct. 7 attack.

Cooper has been serving as Kurilla’s deputy since February, after commanding U.S. Naval forces in the region and the Fifth Fleet, leading operations against the Houthis in Yemen.

At the time, Cooper said the operation was the Navy’s largest and most intense since World War II.

“For a decade, the Iranians have been supplying the Houthis. They've been resupplying them. They're resupplying them as we sit here right now, at sea,” Cooper said.  “We know this is happening. They're advising them, and they're providing target information. This is crystal clear.“

Like his predecessor, Cooper is an ally of Israel. Earlier this year, he visited the IDF, inspecting Air Force bases, received operation briefings on the Lebanon and Gaza borders, and discussed the Houthi threat with IDF officials.

During his confirmation hearing at the Senate Armed Services Committee earlier this year, Cooper noted, “There is an ongoing need for a US military presence, even if partial, in Syria,” adding that it was “indispensable to executing the counter-ISIS mission.”

According to CENTCOM, 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.

“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,” Cooper said at the change of command ceremony.

“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.”