Two senior American military leaders are being positioned to take command of some of the most strategically critical military regions in the world.
US Military Command Appointments are making headlines after the Pentagon revealed President Donald Trump’s nomination of Navy Vice Admiral Charles Cooper II and Air Force Lieutenant General Dagvin Anderson. Cooper has been chosen to lead U.S. Central Command, known as CENTCOM, while Anderson has been tapped to command U.S. Africa Command, or AFRICOM.
The nominations were announced on June 4 by Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth.
US Military Command Appointments Reflect Global Strategic Shift
Vice Admiral Cooper is no stranger to CENTCOM. He currently serves as deputy commander at the command’s headquarters located at MacDill Air Force Base in Florida. If confirmed, Cooper will be promoted to full admiral, stepping into a leadership role he has already helped manage from behind the scenes.
CENTCOM is responsible for overseeing American military operations across 21 countries, stretching from Egypt to Pakistan. Over the years, it has been the backbone of U.S. involvement in military conflicts across Iraq, Syria, and Afghanistan.
On the other side, Lieutenant General Dagvin Anderson is expected to move from his current post directing joint force development for the Joint Chiefs of Staff to take command of AFRICOM, headquartered in Stuttgart, Germany. His role will involve counterterrorism efforts, defense training partnerships, and humanitarian support across 53 African countries.
AFRICOM has become increasingly vital as extremist networks continue to spread across West Africa’s Sahel region. Anderson’s experience at the Pentagon is seen as key to navigating these fast-evolving dynamics.
Both men require Senate confirmation before officially taking their new commands. If approved, Cooper would succeed the current CENTCOM commander, and Anderson would replace AFRICOM’s outgoing chief.
This shift in command comes at a time when both regions demand robust leadership and fresh strategic thinking.
