Adm. Brad Cooper Archives

U.S. Marines with Echo Company, 2d Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2d Marine Division, and soldiers with the United Arab Emirates’ Presidential Guard, conduct a simulated force-on-force for the final exercise of Unit Enhancement Training 2-25 on Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Oct. 29, 2025. The FINEX consisted of a series of combined arms offensive and counter-insurgency operations at the platoon level, enhancing the proficiency, tactical readiness, and interoperability between the Marine Corps and foreign partners. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Judith Ann Lazaro)

U.S. military forms first bilateral AI task force with United Arab Emirates

Task Force Talon Synapse is slated to soon be fully operational, but some observers question its ultimate value.

Jul 28, 2026 By Brandi Vincent

U.S. Navy Admiral Brad Cooper, commander of U.S. Central Command, speaks with the crew on the 1MC during a visit to Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Milius (DDG 69). Cooper interacted with Sailors, recognized the ship’s top performers and toured various spaces. Milius is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operation to support maritime security and stability in the Middle East. (U.S. Navy photo by Senior Chief Mass Communication Specialist Amanda Dunford)

U.S. deploying ‘umbrella’ of defense and tech assets to shield ships in the Strait of Hormuz

President Trump announced “Project Freedom” to help trapped vessels exit the Arabian Gulf and restart the flow of in-demand commerce.

May 4, 2026 By Brandi Vincent

US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth (R) speaks alongside US CENTCOM Commander Admiral Brad Cooper (L) during a press briefing at the Pentagon in Washington, DC, on April 16, 2026. (Photo by SAUL LOEB / AFP via Getty Images)

U.S. launches ‘Operation Economic Fury’ to obstruct Iran’s revenue streams amid blockade

Senior officials signaled how the Trump administration is augmenting the war effort with economic pressure against Iran.

Apr 16, 2026 By Brandi Vincent

Navy to use underwater drones to help clear Iranian mines from Strait of Hormuz

In a social media post Saturday, U.S. Central Command announced that underwater drones will join the mine clearance effort.

Apr 11, 2026 By Jon Harper

(Photo courtesy of U.S. Central Command)

Centcom commander says ‘hundreds’ of U.S. drones are involved in Iran war

U.S. Central Command launched more LUCAS drones against Iran.

Apr 7, 2026 By Jon Harper

On February 12, 2025, the U.S. Army successfully executed two Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) Increment 1 engagements during a flight test at White Sands Missile Range. The missiles, launched from a High Mobility Artillery Rocket System, commonly known as HIMARS, were evaluated as part of ongoing efforts to enhance the Army’s long-range precision strike capability. (Photo by Darrell Ames)

DOD inks agreement with Lockheed Martin aimed at accelerating Precision Strike Missile production

Along with the deal with Lockheed Martin, the Pentagon has made agreements with BAE Systems and Honeywell Aerospace to ramp up production of munitions components.

Mar 25, 2026 By Mikayla Easley

Low-cost Unmanned Combat Attack System (LUCAS) drones are positioned on the tarmac at a base in the U.S. Central Command operating area, Nov. 23. (DVIDS -Courtesy Photo)

DOD’s arsenal of LUCAS drones ‘in the dozens’ amid their combat debut

“We’re not in full-rate production. So, we shipped what we had” to U.S. Central Command, Pentagon CTO Emil Michael told DefenseScoop.

Mar 17, 2026 By Brandi Vincent