{"id":46501,"date":"2022-01-06T19:57:39","date_gmt":"2022-01-06T19:57:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/staging.sightlinemg.com\/defensenews\/uncategorized\/2022\/01\/06\/xviii-airborne-corps-commander-set-to-be-next-centcom-boss\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T10:27:18","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T10:27:18","slug":"xviii-airborne-corps-commander-set-to-be-next-centcom-boss","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/staging.sightlinemg.com\/defensenews\/global\/mideast-africa\/2022\/01\/06\/xviii-airborne-corps-commander-set-to-be-next-centcom-boss\/","title":{"rendered":"XVIII Airborne Corps commander set to be next CENTCOM boss"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

U.S. troops still serving in the Middle East will soon have a new general in charge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The White House on Wednesday nominated Army Lt. Gen. Erik Kurilla<\/a>, who currently leads the XVIII Airborne Corps, for a fourth star. A defense official confirmed to Military Times on Thursday that he will be nominated to lead U.S. Central Command as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGen. Kurilla remains focused on his current responsibility commanding the XVIII Airborne Corps,\u201d his spokesman, Army Col. Joe Buccino, told Military Times on Wednesday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kurilla would replace retiring Marine Gen. Frank McKenzie, who oversaw the final days of the war in Afghanistan. Kurilla previously commanded the 82nd Airborne Division and served as CENTCOM\u2019s chief of staff.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is also a legend in the Army for a 2005 firefight in Iraq chronicled by journalist Michael Yon<\/a>. Kurilla, then a Stryker battalion commander with the 25th Infantry Division, was shot three times but continued to fire back at insurgents while directing his troops.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He earned a Bronze Star with valor device for his actions.<\/p>\n\n\n\t