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Brad Cooper

U.S. Central Command’s (USCENTCOM) incoming commander, U.S. Navy Adm. Brad Cooper, left, and outgoing USCENTCOM outgoing commander, U.S. Army Gen. Michael Erik Kurilla, right, seated during a change of command ceremony, 8 August 2025. Multiple Department of Defense officials attended the event as well as distinguished defense leaders from partner nations around the world. (U.S. Central Command Public Affairs photo by Tom Gagnier)

Adm. Cooper takes the helm at Centcom

The U.S. combatant command that oversees operations in the Middle East, has a new commander.
(June 26, 2025) An E/A-18G Growler, attached to Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 139, launches from the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) during flight operations in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. (Official U.S. Navy photo)

US military gets new combatant commanders for Centcom, Eucom

Meanwhile, the Senate Armed Services Committee still hasn’t scheduled confirmation hearings for several other key positions at the Defense Department.
Republican presidential nominee, former U.S. President Donald Trump arrives to speak during an election night event at the Palm Beach Convention Center on November 06, 2024 in West Palm Beach, Florida. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Trump picks new combatant commanders

The commander-in-chief this week nominated officers to lead U.S. European Command, Central Command, Africa Command and Special Operations Command.
Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III (left) and Vice Adm. Brad Cooper, commander of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT), U.S. 5th Fleet and Combined Maritime Forces (right), speak with international service members during a visit to NAVCENT headquarters in Manama, Bahrain, Dec. 19, 2023. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Marita Schwab)

Houthis deploy unmanned kamikaze boat amid Operation Prosperity Guardian

The "introduction of a one-way attack USV is a concern,” the commander of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command told reporters.
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A MANTAS T-12 unmanned surface vessel (USV), front, operates alongside Royal Bahrain Naval Force fast-attack craft RBNS Abdul Rahman Al-fadel during exercise New Horizon in the Arabian Gulf, Oct. 26, 2021. Exercise New Horizon was U.S. Naval Forces Central Command Task Force 59’s first at-sea evolution since its establishment Sept. 9, 2021. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Dawson Roth)

Navy’s Task Force 59 reaches full operational capability as it works to build a ‘digital ocean’ of connected assets

Task Force 59 is developing a vast integrated network of sensors and unmanned systems.
Various unmanned systems sit on display in Manama, Bahrain, Nov. 19, prior to exercise Digital Horizon 2022. The three-week unmanned and artificial intelligence integration event, beginning Nov. 23, will involve employing new platforms in the region for the first time. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Brandon Murphy)

Navy looking to add vendors to $982M IDIQ contract vehicle for unmanned systems tech

The Navy released an RFI to gauge companies’ interest in pursuing access to the IDIQ-MAC pool of awardees for the Unmanned Surface Vehicle/Vessel Family of Systems.
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