Statements

Jan. 15, 2025

USCENTCOM Commander Visits Israel

StatementJan. 15, 2025From 13-15 January, Gen. Michael Erik Kurilla, Commander of U.S Central Command (CENTCOM), held several key leader engagements in Israel.During his visit, Gen. Kurilla met with Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi, the Chief of the General Staff of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), Maj. Gen. Tomer Bar, Commander Israeli Air Force, and members

Jan. 14, 2025

USCENTCOM Commander Visits Lebanon

STATEMENTJan. 14, 2025TAMPA, Fla. – On 13 January, Gen. Michael Erik Kurilla, Commander of U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), conducted key leader engagements in Lebanon.Gen. Kurilla met with newly elected President Joseph Aoun at the Presidential Palace. It was the first meeting between the two leaders since Aoun became President. President Aoun

Jan. 13, 2025

USCENTCOM Commander Visits Egypt

On 12-13 January, Gen. Michael Erik Kurilla, Commander of U. S. Central Command (CENTCOM), visited Egypt and met with LTG Ahmed Khalifa, Chief of Staff of the Egyptian Armed Forces, in Cairo, Egypt.During their meeting, Gen. Kurilla and LTG Khalifa discussed a range of critical issues, including efforts to address shared security challenges and

USCENTCOM Commander Visits USS Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group "The USS Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group exemplifies the strength, power projection, and war fighting prowess of the U.S. Navy. The Carrier Strike Group presence in the region reinforces our commitment, alongside our partners and allies, to ensuring maritime security and deterring threats to regional stability. I am inspired by the exceptional work being performed by the men and women serving our Nation and our national interests, while supporting peace, security, and stability in the region," said Gen. Kurilla.

Jan. 12, 2025

USCENTCOM Commander Visits USS Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group

TAMPA, Fla. - On 12 January, Gen. Michael Erik Kurilla, Commander of United States Central Command (CENTCOM), visited the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) as it operated in the Red Sea as part of ongoing operations in the region and one of the most strategically significant waterways in the world.The carrier has been operating without

Jan. 12, 2025

USCENTCOM Commander Visits the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

TAMPA, Fla. -Β On 11-12 January, Gen. Michael Erik Kurilla, Commander, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), visited U.S. servicemembers and conducted key leader engagements in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.Gen. Kurilla met with Gen. Fayyadh bin Hamed Al-Ruwaili, Chief of General Staff of the Saudi Arabian Armed Forces and his key staff. The two generals

Jan. 11, 2025

USCENTCOM Commander Visits the Kingdom of Bahrain

On 10 - 11 January, Gen. Michael Erik Kurilla, Commander, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), visited U.S. servicemembers and conducted key leader engagements in the Kingdom of Bahrain. Gen. Kurilla met with His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Bahrain Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa and discussed a range of topics, such as ongoing

Dec. 13, 2024

USCENTCOM Commander Visits Israel

On Dec. 11-13, Gen. Kurilla visited Israel at the invitation of LTG Herzi Halevi, Chief of Staff of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). In addition to meeting with LTG Halevi and his staff, Gen. Kurilla met with the Israeli Minister of Defense Israel Katz, Maj Gen Ori Gordin, the Commander of the IDF's Northern Command, and Maj Gen Tomar Bar, the Israeli Air Force Commander. The leaders discussed a range of regional security issues, to include ongoing situation in Syria, and preparedness against other strategic and regional threats.

Dec. 11, 2024

USCENTCOM Commander Visits Lebanon

Today, Dec. 11, Gen. Michael Kurilla traveled to Beirut, Lebanon and met with Gen. Joseph Aoun, Commander of the Lebanese Armed Forces and Maj. Gen. Jasper Jeffers, the Co-chair of the implementation and monitoring mechanism for the cessation of hostilities between Israel and Lebanon. The leaders discussed ongoing efforts to advance a lasting cessation of hostilities between Israel and Lebanon via the mechanism, which is chaired by the U.S. and assisted by France, the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), and the Israel Defense Forces.

Dec. 10, 2024

USCENTCOM Commander Visits Syria and Iraq

Syria Today, Dec. 10, Gen. Kurilla visited U.S. military commanders and servicemembers, as well as our Defeat-ISIS partners, the Syrian Democratic Forces, at several bases in Syria. He received a firsthand assessment of force protection measures, the rapidly evolving situation, and ongoing efforts to prevent ISIS from exploiting the current situation. USCENTCOM remains committed to the enduring defeat of ISIS. 𝐈𝐫𝐚πͺ After visiting Syria, Gen. Kurilla visited Baghdad where he met with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al Sudani, Chief of Staff Gen. Abdul Amir Rashid Yarallah, and Iraqi Joint Operations Deputy Commander Gen. Qais al-Muhammadawai. The leaders discussed strengthening bilateral cooperation and regional security, the rapidly changing situation in Syria, as well as the defeat-ISIS operations in Iraq. The leaders also discussed the continued partnership between Coalition and Iraqi forces. Additionally, Gen. Kurilla met with Major Gen. Kevin Leahy, Commander of Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve (CJTF-OIR) and his staff for an assessment of the D-ISIS mission inside Iraq and Syria. "We remain dedicated to the enduring defeat of ISIS and committed to the security of our partners that neighbor Syria - including Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, and Israel," said Gen. Kurilla.

Dec. 9, 2024

USCENTCOM Commander visits Jordan

TAMPA, Fla. – Today, Gen. Kurilla met with Maj. Gen. Yousef Al-Hunaiti, Chairman of the Jordanian Joint Chiefs of Staff, in Amman, Jordan, and discussed efforts to enhance regional cooperation and security, strengthening U.S.-Jordanian military cooperation, as well as the rapidly changing situation on the ground in Syria. Jordan has long served as a reliable strategic partner for peace and stability in the region, and Gen. Kurilla reiterated the U.S. commitment to supporting Jordan should any threats arise from Syria during the current period of transition.