General Michael “Erik” Kurilla, nicknamed “The Gorilla,” has retired after 40 years in the U.S. Army, including three years as head of CENTCOM. He oversaw Trump’s June strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites and a major U.S. buildup in the Middle East.
He is succeeded by Admiral Charles Bradford Cooper Jr. Kurilla’s exit comes amid Pentagon turmoil, including the firing of Defense Intelligence chief Lt. Gen. Jeffrey Kruse after a leaked report suggested the Iran strikes may have had limited impact.