Michael Kurilla
Michael Kurilla | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Kurilla in 2025 | |
| Nickname | Gorilla |
| Born | Michael Erik Kurilla 16 May 1966 California, U.S. |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Branch | United States Army |
| Service years | 1988–2025 |
| Rank | General |
| Commands | United States Central Command XVIII Airborne Corps 82nd Airborne Division 75th Ranger Regiment 2nd Ranger Battalion 1st Battalion, 24th Infantry Regiment |
| Conflicts | |
| Awards | Army Distinguished Service Medal (2) Defense Superior Service Medal (4) Legion of Merit (2) Bronze Star (5) Purple Heart (2) |
| Alma mater | |
Michael Erik Kurilla (born 16 May 1966) is a retired American general who served as the commander of United States Central Command from 2022 to 2025. He presided over the response to attacks on U.S. forces and other unrest after the October 7 attacks, and the U.S. involvement in the Twelve-Day War.
Kurilla was born in California and raised in Minnesota. He graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1988, and was commissioned as an Infantry officer in the Army. During his career he was deployed during conflicts in Panama, Haiti, the Balkans, Iraq, and Afghanistan, and his notable commands have included the 75th Ranger Regiment and the 82nd Airborne Division. Kurilla was stationed in the Middle East from 2004 to 2014, and he was awarded two Purple Hearts and the Bronze Star Medal with valor during the Iraq War. He served as the commanding general of XVIII Airborne Corps from 2019 to 2022 and before that as the chief of staff of Central Command from 2018 to 2019.
Early life and education
[edit]He was born in California on 16 May 1966[1] and raised in Elk River, Minnesota. Kurilla received a bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering from the United States Military Academy, an MBA from Regis University, and a master's degree in national security studies from the National War College.[2] After graduating from West Point, he was commissioned into the United States Army as an infantry officer in 1988.[3]
Army career
[edit]During his early career, Kurilla participated in the United States invasion of Panama[4] and in the Gulf War, as well as Operation Uphold Democracy in Haiti, and was part of the Kosovo Force and the Stabilization Force in Bosnia and Herzegovina.[2]
From 2004 to 2014, he was stationed in the geographic area of responsibility of the United States Central Command,[2] deploying to Iraq, Afghanistan, and Syria.[4] In the fall of 2004,[5] he deployed to Iraq as the commander of 1st Battalion, 24th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade, 25th Infantry Division.[6] He was awarded a Bronze Star with "V" device after a battle in Mosul in which he "was shot three times but continued to fire back at insurgents while directing his troops."[6][7][8] During his time in Mosul from 2004 to 2005, the battalion was instrumental in restoring control over the city after successful insurgent attacks on Iraqi police stations in November 2004.[5] Kurilla was awarded two Purple Hearts and the Bronze Star Medal with valor for his actions in the Iraq War.[9]
Kurilla later commanded the 2nd Ranger Battalion and the 75th Ranger Regiment.[2][4] He was the assistant commanding general of Joint Special Operations Command from 2012 to 2014, deputy commanding general (maneuver) of 1st Infantry Division from 2014 to 2015, and deputy director for special operations and counter-terrorism of the Joint Staff from 2015 to 2016.[10] He served as commander of the 82nd Airborne Division from 2016 to 2018 and Chief of Staff of U.S. Central Command from 2018 to 2019.[10] He assumed command of the XVIII Airborne Corps in October 2019.[3] In early 2022, he deployed to Germany to oversee U.S. troop deployments in response to the 2021–2022 Russo-Ukrainian crisis.[11]
CENTCOM commander
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In January 2022, he was nominated for promotion to four-star general and assignment as commander of the United States Central Command.[12][6][13] Kurilla took up the post in April 2022.[2][14] General Mark Milley, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff at the time of his nomination, described Kurilla as the "perfect leader of CENTCOM" due to his knowledge and his experience in both combat and staff officer positions. As the CENTCOM commander when the violence broke out in the region after the October 7 attacks and the start of the Gaza war, Kurilla has provided the Joe Biden and Donald Trump administrations with military options and oversaw their implementation.[15] Kurilla worked to respond to attacks on U.S. forces in Iraq, Syria, Jordan, and in the Red Sea.[16]
In April 2024 he was dispatched to Israel in anticipation of an Iranian counter-attack following the 2024 Iranian consulate airstrike in Damascus by Israel on April 1, in which several Iranian military leaders were killed.[17] After the Iranian strikes against Israel that occurred that month, Kurilla began organizing a regional air defense network among countries that do not have diplomatic relations with Israel.[16] In September he again visited Israel for consultations with defence minister Yoav Gallant.[18] As of November 2024, Kurilla was under investigation after shoving an airman upon being asked to take his seat and buckle up for his safety during a flight to Israel.[19]
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In early 2025, he was reportedly one of the two candidates considered by the second Trump administration to replace General Charles Q. Brown Jr. as the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, but the position was given to Dan Caine.[20] In the spring of 2025, he oversaw Operation Rough Rider, the airstrikes against the Houthi movement in Yemen.[21]
On 10 June 2025, during the negotiations between the United States and Iran on its nuclear program, Kurilla said at a congressional hearing that he prepared a "wide range" of military options for President Donald Trump if negotiations fail.[22] Kurilla has called for a military response against Iran following the Twelve-Day War; his role in the conflict was considered to be unusually significant, with U.S. defence secretary Pete Hegseth seen as deferring to Kurilla during the conflict.[23][24] He oversaw Operation Midnight Hammer on 22 June, the strike on three Iranian nuclear facilities.[21]
On 8 August 2025, he was succeeded by Brad Cooper as commander of U.S. Central Command.[25] Kurilla recommended Cooper to President Donald Trump, who took Kurilla's advice into consideration.[16]
Post-Army career
[edit]In November 2025 Kurilla became a distinguished fellow of the Washington Institute for Near East Policy.[26]
Awards and decorations
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Personal life
[edit]Kurilla and his wife Mary Paige have two daughters.[2]
References
[edit]
This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States government.
- ^ "Register of Graduates and Former Cadets of the United States Military Academy". 1991.
- ^ a b c d e f "Commander, General Michael E. Kurilla". United States Central Command. Retrieved 18 June 2025.
- ^ a b "XVIII Airborne Corps hosts change of command, welcomes familiar Fort Bragg leader to the helm". www.army.mil.
- ^ a b c "Battling terrorism in Afghanistan from over-the-horizon is 'extremely difficult,' says nominee to command CENTCOM". Stars and Stripes. Retrieved 13 February 2022.
- ^ a b McGrath, John J., ed. (2012). "Between the Rivers: Combat Action in Iraq, 2003-2005" (PDF). Retrieved 16 January 2026.
- ^ a b c Myers, Meghan (7 January 2021). "XVIII Airborne Corps commander set to be next CENTCOM boss". Military Times.
- ^ Cooper, Helene (7 January 2022). "Biden Nominates Combat Leader to Head Central Command" – via NYTimes.com.
- ^ Yon, Michael (31 August 2005). "Gates of Fire". Michael Yon Online. Retrieved 13 February 2022.
- ^ "Storied Iraq soldier recuperating". The Seattle Times. 26 August 2005. Retrieved 30 June 2025.
- ^ a b "General Michael E. Kurilla – General Officer Management Office". www.gomo.army.mil.
- ^ "Biden's pick to lead military in Middle East says U.S. has a 'moral obligation' to help Afghans left behind". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 13 February 2022.
- ^ "PN1606 — Lt. Gen. Michael E. Kurilla — Army, 117th Congress (2021-2022)". U.S. Congress. 5 January 2022. Retrieved 19 February 2022.
- ^ "General Officer Announcement". U.S. Department of Defense. 7 January 2021. Archived from the original on 7 January 2022. Retrieved 8 January 2021.
- ^ "Webcast: CENTCOM Welcomes New Commander". DVIDS. 1 April 2022.
- ^ Stancy, Diana (19 June 2025). "Kurilla warfare: Meet the general leading US military forces in the Middle East amid Iran conflict". Fox News.
- ^ a b c Herb, Jeremy; Britzky, Haley; Liebermann, Oren; Shalev, Tal; Lyngaas, Sean (15 March 2026). "The admiral navigating the battlefield — and the politics of Trump's Iran war". CNN. Archived from the original on 15 March 2026. Retrieved 12 April 2026.
- ^ Vinograd, Cassandra; Schmitt, Eric (11 April 2024). "U.S. Sends a Top General to Israel Amid Fears of Iranian Strikes". New York Times. Retrieved 12 April 2024.
- ^ https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/gallant-meets-visiting-centcom-chief-kurilla-on-middle-east-situation-cooperation/
- ^ Bath, Alison (1 November 2024). "4-star Army general overseeing US operations in Middle East investigated over shove". Stars and Stripes. Retrieved 9 November 2024.
- ^ Schmitt, Eric (23 February 2025). "Trump's Frustration With Generals Resulted in an Unconventional Pick". New York Times. Archived from the original on 27 February 2025.
- ^ a b Ceder, Riley (12 August 2025). "Navy Adm. Brad Cooper takes over at CENTCOM". Military Times. Retrieved 12 April 2026.
- ^ Timotija, Filip (10 June 2025). "CENTCOM Commander gave Trump 'wide range' of military options if Iran talks fail". The Hill.
- ^ Henderson, Cameron (19 June 2025). "The 'jacked gorilla' general pushing Trump to strike Iran". The Telegraph. Retrieved 19 June 2025.
- ^ Detsch, Jack; McLeary, Paul (19 June 2025). "Hegseth defers to general on Pentagon's plans for Iran". Politico. Retrieved 19 June 2025.
- ^ "U.S. Central Command Bids Farewell to Gen. Kurilla, Welcomes New Leadership". United States Central Command. 8 August 2025. Archived from the original on 9 August 2025. Retrieved 9 August 2025.
- ^ "Former CENTCOM Commander Michael "Erik" Kurilla Joins The Washington Institute as Its Bernstein Distinguished Fellow". Washington Institute for Near East Policy. 20 November 2025. Retrieved 16 January 2026.
- ^ "President Zardari confers Nishan-e-Imtiaz on USCENTCOM Chief Gen Kurilla". The Express Tribune. 26 July 2025. Retrieved 26 July 2025.
External links
[edit]
- 1966 births
- Living people
- Recipients of the Defense Superior Service Medal
- Recipients of the Distinguished Service Medal (US Army)
- Recipients of the Legion of Merit
- Recipients of Nishan-e-Imtiaz
- United States Army generals
- United States Army personnel of the Gulf War
- United States Army personnel of the Iraq War
- United States Army personnel of the War in Afghanistan (2001–2021)
- People from Elk River, Minnesota
- Colonels of the 75th Ranger Regiment
- Military personnel from California
- United States Military Academy alumni
- National War College alumni
- Regis University alumni
- NATO personnel in the Bosnian War
- People of the Twelve-Day War