General Kurilla who led US Midnight Hammer strikes on Iran has retired from military service
Gen.Michael “Erik” Kurilla, the military officer who oversaw the execution of the Iran strikes in June, has retired from military service and has handed over the reins following three years leading U.S.
troops in the Middle East. Kurilla, a graduate of the U.S.Military Academy at West Point, became commander of U.S.
Central Command (CENTCOM) in 2022 and oversaw planning and execution of at least 15 major combined combat operations, according to the command.Among those, two occurred during his final months leading the command: Operation Rough Rider targeting the Houthis in Yemen in March and April, and Operation Midnight Hammer striking Iranian nuclear sites in June.Operation Midnight Hammer targeted Iranian nuclear facilities Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan, and involved more than 125 U.S.aircraft, including B-2 stealth bombers, according to Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen.
Dan Caine.Likewise, a guided-missile submarine also launched more than two dozen Tomahawk cruise missiles at key Iranian targets. “General Kurilla is a bold, dynamic, and inspiring leader who strikes fear into the hearts of America’s enemies,” Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth said in a June statement to Fox News Digital.
“He’s a warrior through and through who always puts his country, mission, and troops first.It has been an honor to serve alongside him in defense of our great nation.”Kurilla spent an extensive amount of his career focusing on operations in the Middle East.
From 2004 to 2014, the general oversaw conventional and special operations forces during consecutive tours that fell under the CENTCOM purview.During that span of time, Kurilla completed tours in both Iraq and Afghanistan.Kurilla is known for his involvement in a Mosul, Iraq, firefight in August 2005, when he sustained multiple gunshot wounds.
The encounter earned him a Bronze Star with valor and one of his two Purple Heart awards.Notable figures who’ve previously led CENTCOM include former...