August 8, 2025
Release Number 20250808-01
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tampa, Fla. – U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) held a dedication ceremony on August 7, to formally name its headquarters building in honor of its first commander, the late U.S. Army Gen. Robert Kingston.
“Today’s ceremony is about so much more than a name on a building,” said Gen. Erik Kurilla, CENTCOM Commander. “It’s about ensuring the legacy of excellence lives on through every Soldier, Sailor, Airman, Marine, Coastguardsman, Guardian, and Civil Servant that walks through our doors.”
The newly dedicated headquarters building hosts many of CENTCOM’s civilian and military employees supporting deployed troops, U.S. military bases, and partner nations throughout the area of responsibility.
Robert Charles Kingston was born July 16, 1928, in Brookline, Massachusetts, and joined the Army at 18. His decorations include the Distinguished Service Cross, two Silver Stars and four Legions of Merit. He was also inducted into the U.S. Army Ranger and Command and General Staff College halls of fame.
Kingston, who spent more than 36 years in the Army, served in the Korean and Vietnam wars. In 1981, he became Commanding General of the Rapid Deployment Joint Task Force, a predecessor of Central Command, headquartered at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa. The task force started in 1980 after the Iranian Revolution and was also used to discourage the Soviets, then occupying Afghanistan, from moving farther into the Persian Gulf region. At the time, the task force was responsible for 19 countries from the Horn of Africa to Afghanistan.
CENTCOM was officially established on Jan. 1, 1983. As its name implies, it covers the "central" area of the globe located between the European, Africa and Indo-Pacific Commands. Kingston received his fourth star when he took over the newly named Command in the same month of its inception.
“U.S. Central Command is about more than the edifice of concrete and steel we find ourselves in today,” stated Gen. Kurilla. “It is about the warrior spirit that rests in our halls, lives in our service members downrange, and accompanies our warrior into combat. It is the spirit instilled by Robert Kingston, and it is a spirit worth remembering. I’m proud to dedicate the headquarters building of U.S. Central Command in his honor.”
CENTCOM directs and enables military operations and activities with allies and partners to increase regional security and stability in support of enduring U.S. interests across its 21-countrry area of responsibility including: Afghanistan, Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, the United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, and Yemen. In addition, it hosts 46 Coalition nations at CENTCOM headquarters in Tampa.
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