President Donald Trump is reshaping the U.S. military’s top leadership across two strategic regions, nominating Navy Vice Adm. Brad Cooper to take command of U.S. Central Command and Air Force Lt. Gen. Dagvin Anderson to lead U.S. Africa Command.
The Pentagon announced the nominations Wednesday, signaling a shift in leadership during a period of heightened global tensions and complex military operations.
If confirmed, Cooper would become only the second Navy admiral to lead Central Command (CENTCOM), the key U.S. military command overseeing operations in the Middle East, Central Asia, and parts of Africa.
He would replace Army Gen. Michael “Erik” Kurilla, who is retiring after more than three years at the helm.
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“I actually thought the buildings were condemned,” Phelan told POGO. “When we pulled up to them and saw what shape they’re in, I was shocked.”
Cooper’s nomination comes at a time of renewed volatility in the region. The Trump administration is actively involved in seeking a ceasefire in the ongoing 20-month conflict in Gaza and working through sensitive nuclear negotiations with Iran.
The CENTCOM post plays a pivotal role in managing military operations, intelligence coordination, and diplomatic support in conflict zones that include Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan, Israel, and Yemen.
A 1989 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, Cooper has long-standing experience in the region.
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He commanded U.S. naval forces in the Middle East for nearly three years as head of the Navy’s 5th Fleet in Bahrain before assuming his current role as deputy commander of CENTCOM in February 2024.
During his time in Bahrain, Cooper led naval operations against Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen and oversaw the U.S.-led Operation Prosperity Guardian—a multinational maritime effort launched in 2023 to counter Houthi attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea.
In addition to his operational command roles, Cooper spearheaded innovation efforts within the Navy, launching the service’s first task force focused on unmanned systems and artificial intelligence.
His career spans guided-missile cruisers, destroyers, aircraft carriers, and amphibious assault ships, including command of both a destroyer and a cruiser.
His nomination stands out in CENTCOM’s history. Since its establishment in 1983, the command has primarily been led by Army and Marine generals. Prominent figures such as former Army Gen. Lloyd Austin and former Marine Gen. Jim Mattis, both of whom later served as U.S. defense secretaries, previously led CENTCOM.
The only other Navy officer to do so, Adm. William Fallon, resigned after a year amid media reports suggesting policy disagreements with President George W. Bush over Iran. Although Fallon denied those claims, he stepped down citing the distractions caused by public perception.
Cooper, a surface warfare officer and the son of a career Army officer, holds a master’s degree in strategic intelligence from the National Intelligence University. His diverse assignments include serving as commander of Naval Surface Force Atlantic and U.S. Naval Forces Korea.
Meanwhile, Lt. Gen. Dagvin Anderson has been tapped to lead U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), marking the first time an Air Force general would take over the post since its inception in 2007.
Anderson currently serves as the director of joint force development on the Joint Staff. He brings deep operational experience, particularly in special operations and aerial missions.
Anderson, a pilot with over 3,400 flight hours—including 738 in combat—has flown the KC-135 tanker, the C-130 transport, and the U-28A surveillance aircraft frequently used by special operations units.
His leadership credentials include commanding a special operations squadron, an expeditionary squadron, an operations group, and a special operations wing. He also led U.S. efforts to reposition forces from Somalia and served as head of Special Operations Command, Africa, from 2019 to 2021.
AFRICOM remains the Pentagon’s youngest geographic command, with a mission centered on countering violent extremist organizations and bolstering the capabilities of African military partners.
The command has been led predominantly by Army and Marine generals, with Anderson poised to become its seventh leader and first Air Force officer.
A native of Ypsilanti, Michigan, Anderson is a graduate of the ROTC program at Washington University in St. Louis.
Trump’s nominations signal a continued commitment to reshaping military leadership with a focus on innovation and regional expertise.
As global security challenges intensify, these appointments could shape the future of U.S. defense strategy across two of the world’s most volatile and strategically important regions.
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