Navy Vice Adm. Charles Cooper, left, and Air Force Lt. Gen. Alexus Grynkewich shown testifying June 24, 2025, during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on their nominations. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes)
WASHINGTON — The Senate has confirmed new commanders to lead troops in the Middle East and Europe, elevating Navy Vice Adm. Brad Cooper to helm U.S. Central Command and Air Force Lt. Gen. Alexus Grynkewich to oversee U.S. European Command.
Senators confirmed Cooper and Grynkewich in a unanimous voice vote Sunday night amid an ongoing debate over President Donald Trump’s domestic policy bill. Both appeared before the Senate Armed Services Committee for confirmation hearings last week.
Cooper is the deputy commander of CENTCOM and is taking over for Army Gen. Erik Kurilla, while Grynkewich is the director of operations on the Joint Staff at the Pentagon and is replacing Army Gen. Christopher Cavoli at EUCOM.
Cooper will be overseeing American forces in the Middle East in the aftermath of last week’s U.S. strikes against major Iranian nuclear facilities and a brief conflict between Israel and Iran.
He told senators last week that Iran has been weakened since the Oct. 7, 2023, attacks by Iranian proxy Hamas against Israel but remains the top source of instability in the region and a continued threat to U.S. troops.
“We’ve got to be in a three-point stance ready to go every single day,” he said.
Cooper has served as CENTCOM’s deputy commander since February 2024 and previously led Naval Forces Central Command, the Fifth Fleet and Combined Maritime Forces.
Grynkewich is taking the helm of EUCOM as Russia continues its war against Ukraine despite efforts by the Trump administration to broker a peace deal. He will also serve as the Supreme Allied Commander Europe, NATO’s top military officer.
In testimony to senators, Grynkewich said Ukraine can win the war and defended the “essential” role of NATO to American interests. Nearly all the alliance’s members committed last week to spending 5% of their gross domestic product on defense.
Grynkewich, who has Belarusian roots, stressed the importance of keeping American boots on the ground in Europe even as some in the Defense Department seek to redirect more forces to the Indo-Pacific to challenge China’s military in the region.
“While the Indo-Pacific has risen in importance over the previous two decades, European and American security remain as intertwined as our history, our cultures and our economies,” he said.
A career F-16 and F-22 fighter pilot, Grynkewich previously served as commander of the Ninth Air Force and director of operations for CENTCOM.
Cooper and Grynkewich will receive a fourth star with their promotions. They will take over their commands in the summer.
