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Statement

Statement | Sept. 15, 2022

Readout: CENTCOM Commander’s participation in IDF Innovation Conference, September 14 and 15

USCENTCOM

Colonel Joe Buccino, CENTCOM Communications Director:

TAMPA, Fla. - “Over the past two days, General Michael ‘Erik’ Kurilla participated in the International Israeli Defense Forces Operational Innovation Conference in Camp Dayan and the Tze’elim Israeli Defense Force Base. A total of 22 nations, 7 Chiefs of General Staff, the US Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and more than 2,000 Soldiers and civilians participated in the conference.

“The events and sessions allowed deeper mutual understanding of the development and employment of cutting-edge military capabilities. The conference, hosted by Chief of the Israeli General Staff Lieutenant General Aviv Kohavi, was also a critical event in strengthening the cooperation between CENTCOM and the Israeli Defense Forces.

“General Kurilla participated in working groups related to multidomain operations, AI-derived intel, the future of warfare, and other topics. He also observed a multidomain live fire involving data-centric AI-based targeting, civilian risk mitigation, mesh-networked drone swarms, unmanned robotic combat vehicles, man-machine teaming, air strikes, rocket and artillery fires, mortars, helicopters, and ground maneuvers.”

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General Michael “Erik” Kurilla, CENTCOM, from Tze’elim Base, Israel:

 

“My approach to the CENTCOM region can be summarized in three words: People, Partnerships, and Innovation. We saw all three converge here over the past three days.

“This kind of event creates inspiration and the infrastructure for future collaboration in military innovation and allows for shared knowledge on the latest ideas and technology.

“The threats across the CENTCOM area of responsibility, the rapid pace of technological advancement, and the increased competition for resources across the region all demand that we accelerate on innovation. Israel is a leader in innovation and that was crystal clear at this event.

“Innovation will build connective tissue to strengthen our partnerships, assist in our decision making, and enable our operations.”