{{short description|American admiral (born 1967)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=December 2024}} {{Use American English|date=May 2021}} {{Infobox military person | name = Brad Cooper | image = ADM Charles B. Cooper II.jpg | caption = Official portrait, 2025 | birth_name = Charles Bradford Cooper II | birth_date = {{birth year and age|1967}} | birth_place = Winston-Salem, North Carolina, U.S. | death_date = | death_place = | allegiance = United States | branch = United States Navy | service_years = 1989–present | rank = Admiral | commands = {{ubl |United States Central Command |United States Naval Forces Central Command |United States Fifth Fleet |Naval Surface Force Atlantic |Expeditionary Strike Group 7 |United States Naval Forces Korea |{{USS|Gettysburg|CG-64}} |{{USS|Russell|DDG-59}}}} | battles = {{tree list}} *Gulf War *Bosnian War **Operation Deny Flight *Kosovo War *War in Afghanistan *Red Sea crisis **Operation Prosperity Guardian **Operation Poseidon Archer *2026 Iran war {{tree list end}} | awards = {{ubl |Navy Distinguished Service Medal |Defense Superior Service Medal (2) |Legion of Merit (5) |Bronze Star Medal}} | alma_mater = {{ubl |United States Naval Academy (BS) |National Intelligence University (MS)}} | spouse = Susan Cooper }} '''Charles Bradford Cooper II''' (born 1967) is an American admiral who has served as the commander of the United States Central Command since 2025 and has led U.S. forces during the 2026 Iran war.
Cooper was born in North Carolina and raised in Alabama. He graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1989 and became a career surface warfare officer. His commands included a destroyer, a cruiser, U.S. Naval Forces Korea, and Expeditionary Strike Group 7. Cooper has been deployed during combat operations in the Gulf War and the lead-up to the Iraq War; the Yugoslav Wars; and the war in Afghanistan. In the latter, Cooper served in the Combined Security Transition Command, Afghanistan, while an advisor to the Afghan government. He also served in the White House, the Office of the Secretary of Defense, the U.S. Africa Command, and the U.S. Pacific Fleet. His senior posts included as Chief of Legislative Affairs of the United States Navy from 2019 to 2020 and as Commander, Naval Surface Force Atlantic, from 2020 to 2021.
He served as the commander of the U.S. Naval Forces Central Command, U.S. Fifth Fleet, and Combined Maritime Forces from 2021 to 2024. He became the deputy commander of Central Command in 2024. Cooper helped oversee the response to the attacks against U.S. forces in the region during the Gaza war, following the October 7 attacks in Israel. He also led forces in the naval and air operations during the Red Sea crisis, and expanded partnerships with regional navies, particularly to counter the Houthi attacks on commercial vessels. In June 2025, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth announced that Cooper was President Donald Trump's nominee for commander of the United States Central Command. When Cooper took over the role on 8 August 2025, he became the first Navy admiral to hold the post since William J. Fallon in 2008.
As the commander of Central Command, Cooper prepared for and commanded operations during the war against Iran that began on 28 February 2026, in coordination with the Israel Defense Forces. He also expanded cooperation with the Syrian transitional government in the war against the Islamic State.
==Early life and education== thumb|upright|left|125px|Midshipman portrait, 1989 Charles Bradford Cooper II<ref name=hometown/> was born in Winston-Salem, North Carolina,<ref>{{Cite web |first=Kayode |last=Crown |title=Commander of the U.S. campaign against Iran calls Alabama 'home' |work=al.com |date=1 April 2026 |access-date=12 April 2026 |url=https://www.al.com/news/2026/04/commander-of-the-us-campaign-against-iran-calls-alabama-home.html }}</ref> in 1967,<ref name="book">{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DD8BVZeVFP4C&pg=PA180 |title=Register of Commissioned and Warrant Officers of the United States Navy on Active Duty |date=October 1, 1990 |page=180 |publisher=Bureau of Naval Personnel |access-date=June 5, 2021}}</ref> and is the son of a United States Army officer.<ref name="Bio">{{cite web|url=https://www.cusnc.navy.mil/Leadership/Commander/|title=Vice Admiral Brad Cooper|access-date=3 May 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240111063400/https://www.cusnc.navy.mil/Leadership/Commander/|archive-date=2024-01-11}} {{PD-notice}}</ref> He grew up in a military family; his father and grandfather both served in the Army.<ref name="DVIDS-2011" /> He attended Sidney Lanier High School in Montgomery, Alabama, and is a 1989 graduate of the United States Naval Academy,<ref name=hometown>{{cite news |url=https://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/story/news/local/dispatch/2017/01/23/lanier-graduate-promoted-rear-admiral/96970450/ |title=Lanier grad promoted to rear admiral |first=Rebecca |last=Burylo |date=23 January 2017 |newspaper=Montgomery Advertiser |access-date=2021-05-03}}</ref> where he obtained a bachelor of science degree in economics.<ref name="Obama White House" /> Cooper later earned a master's degree in strategic intelligence from the National Intelligence University,<ref name="Navy bio">{{Cite web|url=https://www.navy.mil/Leadership/Flag-Officer-Biographies/Search/Article/2236336/vice-admiral-brad-cooper/|title=Vice Admiral Brad Cooper|website=www.navy.mil|date=19 March 2025|access-date=6 May 2025}} {{PD-notice}}</ref> and also studied national security policy and international relations at Harvard and Tufts universities.<ref name="Bio" /> He is also a graduate of the United States Army Command and General Staff College.<ref name="Obama White House" />
==Early naval career== After receiving his commission at the Naval Academy in 1989, he became a career surface warfare officer in the United States Navy, serving on guided-missile cruisers, guided-missile destroyers, aircraft carriers, and amphibious assault ships.<ref name="Bio" /> Cooper's assignments included as the Combat Information Center (CIC) officer on {{USS|Thomas S. Gates|CG 51}}, operations officer of the {{USS|Fitzgerald|DDG 62}} and {{USS|Anzio|CG 68}}, and executive officer of the {{USS|Vicksburg|CG 69}}.<ref name="Obama White House" /> He was also the flag aide to the commander of the {{USS|Dwight D. Eisenhower||}} Carrier Strike Group.<ref name="Obama White House" /> His ship commands were the destroyer {{USS|Russell|DDG 59}} and the cruiser {{USS|Gettysburg|CG 64}}.<ref name="Bio" /> During his tenure as commanding officer of ''Gettysburg'', the ship and its crew won the 2013 Battenberg Cup, recognizing it as the best vessel in the United States Fleet Forces Command, the Navy's Atlantic fleet. Cooper was awarded the Legion of Merit for his accomplishments as ''Gettysburg''{{'}}s captain.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Change of Command in USS Gettysburg |date=6 April 2015 |access-date=4 March 2026 |work=www.navy.mil |url=https://www.navy.mil/Press-Office/Press-Releases/display-pressreleases/Article/2262301/change-of-command-in-uss-gettysburg/ }}</ref>
Cooper took part in at least 13 named operations. His deployments included the Gulf War; three counter-narcotics operations off the coast of South America; Haitian migrant operations; the enforcement of the no-fly zone over Bosnia and Herzegovina and operations in the buildup to the Kosovo War; three maritime interdiction operations in the Persian Gulf against Saddam Hussein's Iraq; a deployment to the Arabian Sea after the 9/11 attacks; a deployment in the Western Pacific; and the war in Afghanistan.<ref name="Obama White House" /> During the latter, Cooper was division chief for strategic reform of the Afghan Police and Border Guards while assigned to Combined Security Transition Command, Afghanistan. He also served as principal U.S. Advisor to the Interior Minister of Afghanistan.<ref name="Bio" />
Ashore, he served in a variety of executive, military assistant, and special assistant roles in the White House, the Office of the Secretary of Defense, U.S. Africa Command, and U.S. Pacific Fleet headquarters.<ref name="Bio" /> Cooper was the senior military assistant to the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness; special assistant to the commander of the U.S. Africa Command; and flag aide to the commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet.<ref name="Obama White House" /> While at the White House, as of 2011 he was the executive director of the "Joining Forces" campaign, which was launched by Second Lady Jill Biden and promoted by First Lady Michelle Obama to raise support in the private sector for assisting military families and veterans.<ref name="DVIDS-2011">{{Cite web |first=Elaine |last=Sanchez |title=Navy Captain Leads 'Joining Forces' Campaign |work=DVIDS |date=29 August 2011 |access-date=12 April 2026 |url=https://www.dvidshub.net/news/512558/navy-captain-leads-joining-forces-campaign }}</ref> He also served as both Deputy Director<ref name="Obama White House" /> and Director, Surface Warfare Officer assignments,<ref name="Bio" /> at Navy Personnel Command.<ref name="Obama White House" /> Cooper was in the latter post when he was nominated for promotion to rear admiral in July 2016.<ref name=hometown />
==Senior naval career== [[File:United States Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin greets Vice Admiral Brad Cooper, Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command in Bahrain on December 17, 2023.jpg|thumb|Cooper greeting Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin during the secretary's visit to U.S. forces in Bahrain, 17 December 2023]] As a rear admiral, Cooper became commander of United States Naval Forces Korea in September 2016.<ref name="Navy-2018">{{Cite web |title=US Naval Forces Korea Conducts Change of Command |date=11 January 2018 |access-date=12 April 2026 |work=www.navy.mil |url=https://www.navy.mil/Press-Office/Press-Releases/display-pressreleases/Article/2248280/us-naval-forces-korea-conducts-change-of-command/ }}</ref> During this tour, his sailors were honored with the Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation, the first such recognition of a Navy unit since the Korean War,<ref name="Bio" /> and he was bestowed the Korean name Goo Tae-il{{family name footnote|lang=Korean|Goo}}{{efn|{{korean|hangul=구태일|hanja=龜泰日}}}} by the ROK-US Alliance Friendship Association in honor of his service to the Korean peninsula.<ref>{{cite web|author=Lee Chi-dong|url=https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20170719002500315|title=U.S. naval commander to get Korean name|date=2017-07-19|access-date=2021-06-30|website=Yonhap News Agency}}</ref> He relinquished command in January 2018,<ref name="Navy-2018" /> and became commander of Expeditionary Strike Group 7 in Okinawa, Japan, where he led the U.S. military's first F-35 deployment.<ref name="Bio" /> He also led the Navy response to typhoon damage in Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands, and the joint task force that supported the 2018 APEC summit. Cooper then served as the chief of legislative affairs, leading the Navy's engagement with the U.S. Congress to work on budget issues.<ref>{{Cite web |first=Jordan |last=Crouch |title=Amphibious Force 7th Fleet holds Change of Command |date=17 May 2019 |access-date=13 April 2026 |work=www.amphib7flt.navy.mil |url=https://www.amphib7flt.navy.mil/Media/News/Article/1850596/amphibious-force-7th-fleet-holds-change-of-command/ }}</ref><ref name="Bio" /><ref name="CNN-15032026" /> Cooper's next assignment was as commander of Naval Surface Force Atlantic from June 2020, in which he launched new initiatives to expand mental healthcare access for sailors and improve fleet-wide readiness; and oversaw the response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Cooper relinquished command in March 2021.<ref name="Bio" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Naval Surface Force Atlantic Holds Change of Command Ceremony |date=5 March 2021 |access-date=12 April 2026 |work=cnrma.cnic.navy.mil |url=https://cnrma.cnic.navy.mil/News/News-Detail/Article/2527056/naval-surface-force-atlantic-holds-change-of-command-ceremony/ }}</ref>
In April 2021, he was nominated for promotion to vice admiral and the position in Bahrain of commander of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command; commander of U.S. Fifth Fleet; and commander of Combined Maritime Forces.<ref name="24 Apr Flag" /><ref name="14 April Flag">{{Cite web|url=https://www.defense.gov/Newsroom/Releases/Release/Article/2573326/flag-officer-announcements/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210415030502/https://www.defense.gov/Newsroom/Releases/Release/Article/2573326/flag-officer-announcements/|url-status=dead|archive-date=15 April 2021|title=Flag Officer Announcements|website=U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE}}</ref> Cooper took command on 5 May 2021.<ref name="change">{{cite web|url=https://www.cusnc.navy.mil/Media/News/Display/Article/2597568/navcent-us-fifth-fleet-cmf-change-of-command/|title=NAVCENT, U.S. Fifth Fleet, CMF Change of Command|date=2021-05-06|website=U.S. Naval Forces Central Command}}</ref> During the violent period following the October 7 attacks and the start of the Gaza war in 2023, Cooper worked closely with General Michael Kurilla, the head of United States Central Command, for the response to attacks on U.S. forces in Iraq, Syria, Jordan, and the Red Sea.<ref name="CNN-15032026" /> Cooper also frequently visited Israel while serving as the Fifth Fleet commander, and became acquainted with every general and many colonels in the Israel Defense Forces. Cooper established "unprecedented" cooperation between the U.S. Fifth Fleet and the Israeli Navy, and expanded partnerships with other regional navies.<ref name="CNN-15032026">{{Cite web |first1=Jeremy |last1=Herb |first2=Haley |last2=Britzky |first3=Oren |last3=Liebermann |first4=Tal |last4=Shalev |first5=Sean |last5=Lyngaas |title=The admiral navigating the battlefield — and the politics of Trump's Iran war |work=CNN |date=15 March 2026 |access-date=12 April 2026 |url=https://www.cnn.com/2026/03/15/politics/brad-cooper-centcom-iran-war |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260315102307/https://www.cnn.com/2026/03/15/politics/brad-cooper-centcom-iran-war |archive-date=15 March 2026 |url-status=live }}</ref> He was in command when the U.S. Navy began Operation Prosperity Guardian in December 2023 to defend merchant ships from attacks by the Houthis in Yemen,<ref>{{Cite web |title=NAVCENT Commander Vice Admiral Brad Cooper Holds an Off-Camera, On-The-Record Press Briefing via Teleconference on Operation Prosperity Guardian |work=United States Department of Defense |publisher=U.S. Department of Defense |date=4 January 2024 |url=https://www.war.gov/News/Transcripts/Transcript/Article/3631484/navcent-commander-vice-admiral-brad-cooper-holds-an-off-camera-on-the-record-pr/ }}</ref> and played a central role in the operation.<ref name="Newsweek" />
During that tour, he significantly expanded multi-national maritime partnerships, established the Navy's first unmanned and artificial intelligence Task Force, and led multiple operations countering Iranian and Houthi activity throughout the Middle East, including operations Prosperity Guardian and Poseidon Archer in the southern Red Sea.<ref name="Navy bio" /> In April 2023, Cooper was nominated for reappointment as vice admiral and assignment as the deputy commander of United States Central Command.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.congress.gov/nomination/118th-congress/545?s=2&r=2|title=PN545 — Vice Adm. Charles B. Cooper II — Navy|date=2023-04-20|access-date=2023-04-20|website=U.S. Congress}}</ref><ref name="24 Apr Flag">{{cite web|url=https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/3372118/flag-officer-announcements/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230424171746/https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/3372118/flag-officer-announcements/|url-status=dead|archive-date=24 April 2023|title=Flag Officer Announcements|date=2023-04-24|access-date=2023-04-25|website=U.S. Department of Defense}}</ref> He assumed command in February 2024.<ref name="Post">{{Cite web |last1=Lamothe |first1=Dan |last2=Ryan |first2=Missy |title=Hegseth backs admiral for Middle East post, passing over Army general |date=29 April 2025 |work=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2025/04/29/hegseth-central-command-brad-cooper-james-mingus/ }}</ref> That same month, he told the media that the actions against the Houthis represent the largest and most intense operation of the U.S. Navy since World War II.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=O'Donnell |first1=Norah |last2=Chasan |first2=Aliza |last3=Sharman |first3=Keith |last4=Feitel |first4=Roxanne |title=U.S. Navy three-star admiral discusses the mission to stop Houthi Red Sea attacks |date=18 February 2024 |work=CBS News |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/houthi-attacks-red-sea-us-navy-response-60-minutes/ }}</ref> Cooper organized the U.S. military's maritime corridor that briefly increased the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza in 2024,<ref name="Newsweek" /> and that summer he visited the Strait of Mandeb to personally examine the Houthi attacks on shipping.<ref name="CNN-15032026" />
===CENTCOM commander=== thumb|220px|Cooper speaks at the CENTCOM change of command ceremony in Tampa, Florida, on 8 August 2025 In June 2025, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth announced that Cooper was President Donald Trump's nominee for commander of the U.S. Central Command, with the grade of admiral.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/live/2025/06/04/us/trump-news/0165a38b-7c03-541b-88d2-c208bad424f2 |title=Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced President Trump's pick for the next leader of U.S. Central Command, which directs U.S. military operations throughout the Middle East, and of U.S. Africa Command, which covers operations across the African continent. |date=June 4, 2025 |last=Ismay |first=John |work=The New York Times |access-date=June 4, 2025}}</ref> Cooper was selected by the Trump administration over Army general James Mingus, who had been expected to receive the position,<ref name="Post" /> in what was interpreted as a prioritization of naval operations ahead of a potential confrontation with Iran and the ongoing mission against the Houthis. Cooper is a critic of Iran and a supporter of Israel, like his predecessor Michael Kurilla.<ref name="Newsweek">{{Cite web |last=El-Fekki |first=Amira |title=Trump Changes Top Middle East General For Strong Iran Hawk |date=6 June 2025 |access-date=6 March 2026 |work=Newsweek |url=https://www.newsweek.com/trump-changes-top-middle-east-general-strong-iran-hawk-2081796 }}</ref> Kurilla recommended him to Trump, who took that into consideration and chose Cooper over several other candidates.<ref name="CNN-15032026" /> On 8 August 2025, he succeeded Kurilla as commander of Central Command,<ref>{{Cite web |title=U.S. Central Command Bids Farewell to Gen. Kurilla, Welcomes New Leadership |url=https://www.centcom.mil/MEDIA/PRESS-RELEASES/Press-Release-View/Article/4270519/us-central-command-bids-farewell-to-gen-kurilla-welcomes-new-leadership/ |date=8 August 2025 |access-date=9 August 2025 |website=United States Central Command |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250809162434/https://www.centcom.mil/MEDIA/PRESS-RELEASES/Press-Release-View/Article/4270519/us-central-command-bids-farewell-to-gen-kurilla-welcomes-new-leadership/ |archive-date=9 August 2025 |url-status=live}}</ref> becoming the first naval officer to hold the post since William J. Fallon in 2008, as it was traditionally held by Army or Marine generals.<ref name="Newsweek" />
At his nomination hearing, Cooper said that the U.S. should maintain its military presence in Syria as part of the war against the Islamic State, and should work with the Syrian transitional government against ISIS.<ref>{{Cite web |title=CENTCOM nominee underscores need for US military presence in Syria |date=June 26, 2025 |access-date=June 26, 2025 |work=The Arab Weekly |url=https://thearabweekly.com/centcom-nominee-underscores-need-us-military-presence-syria }}</ref> In September 2025, Cooper visited Damascus, where he met with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa and U.S. special envoy Tom Barrack to discuss cooperation on counter-Islamic State operations and future U.S.–Syrian engagement.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.centcom.mil/MEDIA/PRESS-RELEASES/Press-Release-View/Article/4302152/us-syrian-leaders-meet-in-damascus/ |title=U.S., Syrian Leaders Meet in Damascus |publisher=CENTCOM |date=12 September 2025 }}</ref> On 21 January 2026, Cooper spoke by phone with al-Sharaa regarding the ceasefire with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) amid the northeastern Syria offensive and coordination on the transfer of Islamic State detainees from Syria to Iraq.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cx20pwqkgp9o |title=US to transfer Islamic State prisoners from Syria to Iraq |publisher=BBC News |date=21 January 2026 }}</ref> The next day, Cooper met with SDF commander-in-chief Mazloum Abdi, along with Tom Barrack, in Erbil to discuss implementation, integration, and ongoing U.S. support for the ceasefire.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.kurdistan24.net/en/story/889294/mazloum-abdi-welcomes-us-support-for-ceasefire-integration-talks |title=Mazloum Abdi Welcomes US Support for Ceasefire, Integration Talks |publisher=Kurdistan 24 |date=22 January 2026 }}</ref>
[[File:Civil-Military Coordination Center (9389607).jpg|thumb|left|Cooper with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu while on a visit to Israel, 28 October 2025]] Cooper also continued developing the partnerships in regional air defense that Kurilla had started, and conducted his own debriefing of Israeli–U.S. actions during the Twelve-Day War. He began preparations for a possible second conflict.<ref name="CNN-15032026" /> On 24 January, he visited Tel Aviv, holding meetings with Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir and other senior officials to reinforce close strategic military cooperation amid a broader U.S. military buildup in the Middle East.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/centcom-chief-reportedly-to-visit-israel-on-saturday-amid-us-military-buildup-in-mideast/ |title=Visiting CENTCOM chief meets top IDF generals amid US military buildup in Mideast |publisher=The Times of Israel |date=24 January 2026 }}</ref> Zamir was critical in convincing Cooper that a war with Iran would be viable, and Cooper gave his support to the first two steps of the proposed Israeli plan: the assassination of Ali Khamenei and strikes against Iran's ballistic missile and drone programs. In his talks with Trump, Cooper focused on the military aspects of such an operation rather than on whether or not it would be a good decision to go to war. He did not emphasize to Trump the risk from the potential closure of the Strait of Hormuz.<ref name="Jpost-23042026">{{Cite web |first=Yonah Jeremy |last=Bob |title=Critical roles of Eyal Zamir, Caine, Cooper in shaping Iran war |work=Jerusalem Post |date=23 April 2026 |access-date=26 April 2026 |url=https://www.jpost.com/international/article-893860 }}</ref>
On 6 February 2026, Cooper took part in the indirect negotiations between Iran and the United States that were held in Muscat, Oman, along with Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Finley |first1=Ben |last2=Toropin |first2=Konstantin |title=Trump's military leaders help with diplomacy on Iran and Ukraine |date=7 February 2026 |access-date=7 February 2026 |work=Associated Press |url=https://apnews.com/article/military-diplomacy-trump-iran-ukraine-russia-09decddeb6264a4dd83cc3535553b2f2 }}</ref> The following day, Witkoff and Kushner visited Cooper aboard {{USS|Abraham Lincoln|CVN-72|6}} at his invitation.<ref name="CNN-15032026" /> On 26 February, Cooper and chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Caine briefed Donald Trump on military options with regard to Iran.<ref>{{Cite web |first1=Anne |last1=Flaherty |first2=Rachel |last2=Scott |title=Top Mideast commander briefs Trump on military options on Iran |date=26 February 2026 |access-date=1 March 2026 |work=ABC News |url=https://abcnews.com/Politics/top-mideast-commander-briefs-trump-military-options-iran/story?id=130544628 }}</ref> Cooper began the U.S. airstrikes on Iran on 28 February on the order of Trump.<ref name="CNN-15032026" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine Hold a Press Briefing |date=2 March 2026 |access-date=2 March 2026 |work=www.war.gov |publisher=U.S. Department of Defense |url=https://www.war.gov/News/Transcripts/Transcript/Article/4418959/secretary-of-war-pete-hegseth-and-chairman-of-the-joint-chiefs-of-staff-gen-dan/ }}</ref> On the first day, he stated that the goal of CENTCOM's operation was to dismantle the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.<ref>{{Cite web |last=LaFranchi |first=Howard |title= In Iran, Trump is trying something untested: Outsourcing regime change |date=1 March 2026 |access-date=1 March 2026 |work=Christian Science Monitor |url=https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Foreign-Policy/2026/0301/trump-iran-regime-change-popular-uprising }} </ref> Cooper also wrote a letter addressed to U.S. troops in the Middle East, telling them that they will "change the course of human history."<ref>{{Cite web |first=Patty |last=Nieberg |title=US commander tells troops Iran strikes 'will change human history' |date=3 March 2026 |access-date=3 March 2026 |work=Task & Purpose |url=https://taskandpurpose.com/news/epic-fury-letter-to-troops/ }}</ref>
Cooper was the main American architect of the campaign.<ref name="Jpost-23042026" /> He and his team spent the weeks before the war identifying targets in Iran that enabled it to project power beyond its borders.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine Hold a Press Briefing |date=4 March 2026 |access-date=4 March 2026 |work=www.war.gov |publisher=U.S. Department of Defense |url=https://www.war.gov/News/Transcripts/Transcript/Article/4421037/secretary-of-war-pete-hegseth-and-chairman-of-the-joint-chiefs-of-staff-gen-dan/ }}</ref> Since the war began, Cooper has been in almost daily contact with Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir,<ref name="CNN-15032026" /> coordinating with the Israeli military,<ref name="DOD-16042026">{{Cite web |title=Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine Hold a Press Briefing |date=16 April 2026 |access-date=16 April 2026 |work=www.war.gov |publisher=U.S. Department of Defense |url=https://www.war.gov/News/Transcripts/Transcript/Article/4462029/secretary-of-war-pete-hegseth-and-chairman-of-the-joint-chiefs-of-staff-gen-dan/ }}</ref> and also coordinating with almost a dozen Arab countries.<ref name="Jpost-23042026" /> Cooper made Iran's military capabilities the focus of the U.S. campaign, including their missile launch sites and their navy, while leaving targets related to the goal of regime change to Israel.<ref name="Jpost-23042026" /> He issued an update on the operation on 3 March, claiming to have eliminated the Iranian Navy.<ref>{{Cite web |title=ICYMI: Update from CENTCOM Commander on Operation Epic Fury |date=4 March 2026 |access-date=4 March 2026 |work=www.whitehouse.gov |publisher=The White House |url=https://www.whitehouse.gov/articles/2026/03/icymi-update-from-centcom-commander-on-operation-epic-fury/ }}</ref> On 5 March he said that the next phase of the war would be targeting Iran's missile production capacity.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Watson |first1=Eleanor |last2=Walsh |first2=Joe |title=U.S. military now seeking to "raze or level" Iran's ballistic missile industry, Adm. Cooper says |date=5 March 2026 |access-date=5 March 2026 |work=CBS News |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/pete-hegseth-brad-cooper-iran-news-conference-03-05-2026/ }}</ref> Cooper confirmed on 11 March that the military is using artificial intelligence tools in the war, but said that "humans will always make final decisions" on targeting.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Burke |first=Jason |title=Iran escalates attacks on infrastructure and transport networks across the Gulf |date=11 March 2026 |access-date=11 March 2026 |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/mar/11/iran-escalates-attacks-on-infrastructure-and-transport-networks-across-the-gulf }}</ref> On 9 April, after the ceasefire went into effect, he claimed that U.S. and Israel inflicted a "generational military defeat" on Iran, and that its conventional military "has been eliminated."<ref>{{Cite web |first=Ellen |last=Mitchell |title=US Central Command: Troops remain in Middle East amid Iran truce |work=The Hill |date=9 April 2026 |access-date=12 April 2026 |url=https://thehill.com/policy/defense/5823895-iran-ceasefire-us-central-command-troops/ }}</ref>
[[File:CENTCOM commander meets with Bahrain's King (9627279).jpg|thumb|Cooper in Bahrain with King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, and U.S. Ambassador Stephanie Hallett, 13 April 2026]] Cooper and Fifth Fleet commander Curt Renshaw met King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa of Bahrain and his prime minister, Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, on 13 April in Manama.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bahrain's king meets U.S. Central Command Adm. Brad Cooper in Manama |date=13 April 2026 |access-date=16 April 2026 |work=Bahrain News Agency and Reuters via Honolulu Star-Advertiser |url=https://www.staradvertiser.com/2026/04/13/photo-gallery/bahrains-king-meets-u-s-central-command-adm-brad-cooper-in-manama/ }}</ref> On 15 April, Cooper announced that the naval blockade of Iran has been "fully implemented" and all maritime traffic to and from Iran has been "completely halted."<ref>{{Cite web |title=US military says blockade of Iran ports 'completely' halts economic trade |work=Al Jazeera |date=15 April 2026 |access-date=15 April 2026 |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/economy/2026/4/15/us-military-says-blockade-of-iran-ports-completely-halts-economic-trade }}</ref> Central Command made plans to resume combat operations against Iran, and he reportedly briefed Trump on military options along with Dan Caine on 29 April.<ref>{{Cite web |first=Barak |last=Ravid |title=Trump to be briefed on new Iran military options Thursday |work=Axios |date=29 April 2026 |access-date=29 April 2026 |url=https://www.axios.com/2026/04/30/trump-military-plans-iran-briefing-centcom }}</ref> On 4 May, he said that the U.S. Navy has set up a "defense umbrella" for ships to pass the Strait of Hormuz, as part of Operation Project Freedom.<ref>{{Cite web |first1=Barak |last1=Ravid |first2=Marc |last2=Caputo |title=US, Iran exchange fire in strait as Trump attempts to open shipping lane |date=4 May 2026 |access-date=4 May 2026 |work=Axios |url=https://www.axios.com/2026/05/04/strait-hormuz-us-merchant-ships-cross }}</ref> He gave a testimony to Congress on 14 May, claiming that the war achieved all of its objectives to "significantly degrade" Iran's military capabilities, while also acknowledging the Iran still has the ability to threaten shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. Cooper also said that the U.S. has military options for reopening the strait.<ref>{{Cite web |first=Eleanor |last=Watson |title=CENTCOM chief tells senators Iran's hold on Strait of Hormuz has weakened, but threats remain |work=CBS News |date=14 May 2026 |access-date=16 May 2026 |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/brad-cooper-centcom-senate-testimony-iran/ }}</ref>
==Awards and decorations== Cooper has been described as one of the most decorated officers in the U.S. military.<ref>{{Cite web |first1=Shelby |last1=Holliday |first2=Lara |last2=Seligman |title=Admiral Cooper, the Warrior Diplomat Running Trump's Fight in Iran |work=The Wall Street Journal |date=11 March 2026 |access-date=12 April 2026 |url=https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/admiral-cooper-the-warrior-diplomat-running-trumps-war-in-iran-a35abdb4 }}</ref>
{| style="margin:1em auto; text-align:center;" |colspan="3"|200px |- |{{Ribbon devices|number=1|type=oak|ribbon=Defense Distinguished Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}} |{{ribbon devices|number=1|type=award-star|ribbon=Navy Distinguished Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}} |{{Ribbon devices|number=1|type=C|ribbon=Defense Superior Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}} |- |{{Ribbon devices|number=4|type=award-star|ribbon=Legion of Merit ribbon.svg|width=106}} |{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Bronze Star Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}} |{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Defense Meritorious Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}} |- |{{Ribbon devices|number=4|type=award-star|ribbon=Meritorious Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}} |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Joint Service Commendation Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}} |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal ribbon, 5th award.svg|width=106}} |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Joint Service Achievement Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}} |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}} |{{ribbon devices|number=2|type=oak|ribbon=Joint Meritorious Unit Award (USMC and USN frame).svg|width=106}} |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=U.S. Navy Unit Commendation ribbon.svg|width=106}} |{{ribbon devices|number=5|type=service-star|ribbon=Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation ribbon.svg|width=106}} |{{ribbon devices|ribbon=Meritorious Team Commendation ribbon.svg|other_device=odd|width=106}} |- |{{Ribbon devices|number=0|ribbon=Battle Effectiveness Award ribbon, 4th award.svg|width=106}} |{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=National Defense Service Medal ribbon, 2nd award.svg|width=106}} |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}} |- |{{ribbon devices|number=2|type=service-star|ribbon=Southwest Asia Service Medal ribbon (1991-2016).svg|width=106}} |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|name=Afghanistan Campaign Medal ribbon, 1st award|width=106}} |106px |- |{{Ribbon devices|number=0|ribbon=Global War on Terrorism Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}} |106px |{{ribbon devices|number=1|type=service-star|ribbon=Armed Forces Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}} |- |{{Ribbon devices|number=2|type=service-star|ribbon=Humanitarian Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}} |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=Military_Outstanding_Volunteer_Service_Medal_ribbon.svg|width=106}} |{{Ribbon devices|number=5|type=service-star|ribbon=Navy and Marine Corps Sea Service Deployment Ribbon.svg|width=106}} |- |{{Ribbon devices|number=3|type=service-star|ribbon=Navy and Marine Corps Overseas Service Ribbon.svg|width=106}} |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=U.S. Coast Guard Special Operations Service Ribbon.svg|width=106}} |border|106px |- |106px |106px |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia) ribbon.svg|width=106}} |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait) ribbon.svg|width=106}} |106px |106px |- |colspan="3"|55px |- |colspan="3"|120px |- |colspan="3"|120px |- |colspan="3"|120px |- |} {| class="wikitable" style="margin:1em auto; text-align:center;" |- |colspan="6"|Surface Warfare Officer Pin |- |colspan="2"|Defense Distinguished Service Medal with one C device] |colspan="2"|Navy Distinguished Service Medal with one gold award star |colspan="2"|Defense Superior Service Medal with one bronze oak leaf cluster |- |colspan="2"|Legion of Merit with four gold award stars |colspan="2"|Bronze Star Medal |colspan="2"|Defense Meritorious Service Medal |- |colspan="2"|Meritorious Service Medal with four award stars |colspan="2"|Joint Service Commendation Medal |colspan="2"|Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with four award stars |- |colspan="2"|Joint Service Achievement Medal |colspan="2"|Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal |colspan="2"|Joint Meritorious Unit Award with two oak leaf clusters |- |colspan="2"|Navy Unit Commendation |colspan="2"|Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation with one silver service star |colspan="2"|Meritorious Team Commendation with Operational Distinguishing Device |- |colspan="2"|Navy "E" Ribbon with wreathed Battle E device |colspan="2"|National Defense Service Medal with service star |colspan="2"|Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal |- |colspan="2"|Southwest Asia Service Medal with two service stars |colspan="2"|Afghanistan Campaign Medal with service star |colspan="2"|Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal |- |colspan="2"|Global War on Terrorism Service Medal |colspan="2"|Korea Defense Service Medal |colspan="2"|Armed Forces Service Medal with service star |- |colspan="2"|Humanitarian Service Medal with two service stars |colspan="2"|Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal |colspan="2"|Navy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with silver service star |- |colspan="2"|Navy and Marine Corps Overseas Service Ribbon with three service stars |colspan="2"|Special Operations Service Ribbon |colspan="2"|Defence Cooperation Medal (Japan) |- |colspan="2"|Order of National Security Merit, Cheonsu Medal ''(Republic of Korea)'' |colspan="2"|NATO Medal for the former Yugoslavia |colspan="2"|Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia) |- |colspan="2"|Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait) |colspan="2"|Navy Expert Rifleman Medal |colspan="2"|Navy Expert Pistol Shot Medal |- |colspan="6"|Command at Sea insignia |- |colspan="6"|Office of the Secretary of Defense Identification Badge |- |colspan="6"|Presidential Service Badge |- |colspan="6"|United States Central Command Badge |- |}
==Dates of promotion== {| class="wikitable" |+ ! Rank !! Branch !! Date |- ||{{Dodseal|USNO1|75}} Ensign||rowspan=10|Navy ||1989<ref name="Obama White House" /> |- ||{{Dodseal|USNO2|75}} Lieutenant junior grade|| |- ||{{Dodseal|USNO3|75}} Lieutenant|| |- ||{{Dodseal|USNO4|75}} Lieutenant commander||11 August 1997<ref>{{Cite web |title=PN789 — Navy |work=www.congress.gov |publisher=105th U.S. Congress |date=1997 |access-date=2 April 2026 |url=https://www.congress.gov/nomination/105th-congress/789?hl=%22Charles+B.+Cooper%22&s=6&r=8 }}</ref> |- ||{{Dodseal|USNO5|75}} Commander||31 July 2003<ref>{{Cite web |title=PN777 — Navy |work=www.congress.gov |publisher=108th U.S. Congress |date=2003 |access-date=2 April 2026 |url=https://www.congress.gov/nomination/108th-congress/777?hl=%22Charles+B.+Cooper%22&s=6&r=7 }}</ref> |- ||{{Dodseal|USNO6|75}} Captain||19 June 2009<ref>{{Cite web |title=PN445 — Navy |work=www.congress.gov |publisher=111th U.S. Congress |date=2009 |access-date=2 April 2026 |url=https://www.congress.gov/nomination/111th-congress/445?hl=%22Charles+B.+Cooper%22&s=6&r=6 }}</ref> |- ||{{Dodseal|USNO7|75}} Rear admiral (lower half)||13 July 2016<ref>{{Cite web |title=PN1604 — Navy |work=www.congress.gov |publisher=114th U.S. Congress |date=2016 |access-date=2 April 2026 |url=https://www.congress.gov/nomination/114th-congress/1604?hl=%22Charles+B.+Cooper%22&s=6&r=5 }}</ref> |- ||{{Dodseal|USNO8|75}} Rear admiral||28 March 2019<ref>{{Cite web |title=PN349 — Navy |work=www.congress.gov |publisher=116th U.S. Congress |date=2019 |access-date=2 April 2026 |url=https://www.congress.gov/nomination/116th-congress/349?hl=%22Charles+B.+Cooper%22&s=6&r=4 }}</ref> |- ||{{Dodseal|USNO9|75}} Vice admiral||29 April 2021<ref>{{Cite web |title=PN339 — Rear Adm. Charles B. Cooper II — Navy |work=www.congress.gov |publisher=117th U.S. Congress |date=2021 |access-date=2 April 2026 |url=https://www.congress.gov/nomination/117th-congress/339?hl=%22Charles+B.+Cooper%22&s=6&r=1 }}</ref> |- ||{{Dodseal|USNO10|75}} Admiral||29 June 2025<ref>{{Cite web |title=PN272 — Vice Adm. Charles B. Cooper II — Navy |work=www.congress.gov |publisher=119th U.S. Congress |date=2025 |access-date=2 April 2026 |url=https://www.congress.gov/nomination/119th-congress/272?hl=%22Charles+B.+Cooper%22&s=6&r=2 }}</ref> |- |}
==Personal life== He is married to Susan, who is a speech-language pathologist, and they have two children.<ref name="Obama White House">{{cite web |url=https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/blog/author/brad-cooper |title=White House Author – Brad Cooper |work=Obama White House |date=November 18, 2011 |access-date=3 May 2025}}</ref>
Cooper was briefly a fellow of the Asia Pacific Center for Security Studies.<ref name="Obama White House" />
==Notes== {{notelist}}
==References== {{USGovernment}} {{reflist}}
==External links== *{{commons-cat-inline|Charles B. Cooper II}} *{{C-SPAN|144971}}
{{s-start}} {{s-mil}} {{s-bef|before=James Kilby}} {{s-ttl|title=Commanding Officer of {{USS|Russell|DDG-59}}|years=2007–2008}} {{s-aft|after=Jeff D. Weston}} |- {{s-bef|before=Robert N. Hein}} {{s-ttl|title=Commanding Officer of {{USS|Gettysburg|CG-64}}|years=2013–2015}} {{s-aft|after=John Schmidt}} |- {{s-bef|before=William D. Byrne Jr.}} {{s-ttl|title=Commander of United States Naval Forces Korea|years=2016–2018}} {{s-aft|after=Michael E. Boyle}} |- {{s-bef|before=Marvin Thompson}} {{s-ttl|title=Commander of Expeditionary Strike Group 7|years=2018–2019}} {{s-aft|after=Fred W. Kacher}} |- {{s-bef|before=James T. Loeblein}} {{s-ttl|title=Chief of Legislative Affairs of the United States Navy|years=2019–2020}} {{s-aft|after=Sara A. Joyner}} |- {{s-bef|before=Roy Kitchener}} {{s-ttl|title=Commander, Naval Surface Force Atlantic|years=2020–2021}} {{s-aft|after=Brendan McLane}} |- {{s-bef|before=Samuel Paparo}} {{s-ttl|title=Commander of the United States Naval Forces Central Command|years=2021–2024}} {{s-aft|after=George Wikoff}} |- {{s-bef|before=Gregory Guillot}} {{s-ttl|title=Deputy Commander of the United States Central Command|years=2024–2025}} {{s-aft|after=Sean Salene<br>{{small|Acting}}}} |- {{s-bef|before=Michael Kurilla}} {{s-ttl|title=Commander of the United States Central Command|years=2025–present}} {{s-inc}} {{s-end}}
{{Current US Department of Defense secretaries}} {{United States Regional Commanders}} {{CentComHeads}} {{authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Cooper, Brad}} Category:1967 births Category:American military personnel of the 2026 Iran war Category:Living people Category:Military personnel from North Carolina Category:National Intelligence University alumni Category:NATO personnel in the Bosnian War Category:People from Winston-Salem, North Carolina Category:Recipients of the Defense Superior Service Medal Category:Recipients of the Legion of Merit Category:Recipients of the Navy Distinguished Service Medal Category:Sidney Lanier High School alumni Category:United States Army Command and General Staff College alumni Category:United States Naval Academy alumni Category:United States Navy admirals Category:United States Navy personnel of the Gulf War Category:United States Navy personnel of the Kosovo War Category:United States Navy personnel of the War in Afghanistan (2001–2021)