Latest news with #BradCooper
Yemen Online
4 days ago
- Politics
- Yemen Online
Yemen Forces Interdict Illegal Weapons Systems and Equipment Bound for Iran-backed Houthis
U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) congratulates the Yemeni National Resistance Forces (NRF), led by Gen. Tareq Saleh, for displaying their capabilities and commitment to stop the proliferation of weapons and illicit material bound to Iran-backed Houthis. On Aug. 6, Yemeni security forces, in coordination with the Public Prosecutor and Port of Aden authorities, seized a shipment containing drones, jet propulsion systems, wireless devices, and advanced control components bound for Iranian-backed Houthis. The cargo, which was destined for Al Hodeidah, Yemen, was rerouted to Aden and discovered during a joint inspection by counterterrorism, customs, and police units. According to Yemeni authorities, the shipment was part of a broader smuggling network that uses the Houthi-controlled port of Al Hodeidah to funnel advanced military equipment to regional terrorist organizations. The seizure supports United Nations Security Council Resolutions (UNSCR) and reinforces Yemen's commitment to regional stability and maritime security. Adm. Brad Cooper, Commander, U.S. Central Command, praised the action saying, "For the second time in three weeks, we commend the legitimate government forces of Yemen who continue to interdict the flow of Iranian munitions and equipment bound for the Houthis. This seizure highlights Iran's ongoing role as a deliberate malicious actor in the region. Limiting the free flow of Iranian support to the Houthis is critical to regional security, stability, and freedom of navigation.'
Business Insider
25-06-2025
- Politics
- Business Insider
Iran has been hurt but is still a 'considerable' threat to US forces in the Middle East, says US admiral
Iran still poses a "considerable" tactical threat to US forces in the Middle East despite strikes on its nuclear and military sites by Israel and the US, a top admiral told Congress on Tuesday. "At the tactical level, I think they've been degraded," Vice Adm. Brad Cooper, deputy commander of US Central Command, said at a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing. "I think the degree to which that degradation has taken place, particularly in the last 12 days, is best discussed in a classified forum," he added. But he said that Iran possesses "considerable tactical capability," one element of which was visible in the missile attack on the US military base of Al Udeid on Monday. Iran attacked the base, located in Qatar and the US's largest in the region, with missiles that were foiled by Qatari air defenses and caused no deaths or injuries. The attack came a day after the US launched a major strike on Iranian facilities linked to its nuclear program, using GBU-57 bunker-buster bombs for the first time in combat. In a press briefing Sunday, Gen. Dan Caine, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said US forces fired around 75 precision-guided weapons in total during the operation, which targeted facilities at Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan. President Donald Trump said the strikes had destroyed the nuclear facilities. The White House pushed back on reports on Tuesday that the sites were only damaged. A tentative ceasefire between Israel and Iran is currently in place, but there are concerns that it may not last, and that Iran could resort to other tactics to fight back. Iran retains a large ballistic missile stockpile, and Cooper said that while its proxies like Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in Gaza have been reduced in strength, its network of regional militias remains a threat. "The thing I think we need to do right now and that we are doing, with clarity, is making sure our men and women are safe in the Middle East," he said. The US has around 40,000 military and civilian personnel in the region, and bolstered its military presence there with the deployment of the USS Nimitz. Cooper added that: "We've got to be in a three-point stance, ready to go every single day."
The Independent
04-06-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Trump names nominees to take over commands in the Middle East and Africa
President Donald Trump is nominating Vice Adm. Brad Cooper to take over as the top U.S. military commander in the Middle East, the Pentagon said Wednesday. If he is confirmed, it would mark just the second time that a Navy admiral has held the job. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said in a statement that Trump also is nominating Air Force Lt. Gen. Dagvin Anderson to head U.S. Africa Command. Anderson would be the first Air Force general to lead the command, which was created in 2007. Cooper is currently deputy commander of U.S. Central Command and has extensive experience serving and leading troops in the Middle East. The current head of the command, Army Gen. Erik Kurilla, is slated to retire after more than three years in the post. It is a crucial role as the region has been shaken by conflict, with the Trump administration pushing to broker a ceasefire deal after 20 months of war in Gaza and pressing for an agreement with Iran in negotiations over Tehran's rapidly advancing nuclear program. A 1989 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, Cooper commanded naval forces in the Middle East for close to three years as the head of the Navy's 5th Fleet in Bahrain. He left in February 2024 to take over as deputy at Central Command, which oversees U.S. military operations in the Middle East and is based in Tampa. Army and Marine generals have largely held the Middle East job since it was created in 1983. And two of the recent leaders — former Army Gen. Lloyd Austin and former Marine Gen. Jim Mattis, went on to serve as defense secretary. Central Command covers 21 countries across central and south Asia and northeast Africa and has overseen the conflicts in Iraq, Afghanistan, Israel, Syria and Yemen. The only Navy officer to ever lead Central Command was Adm. William Fallon, who resigned after a year and retired. At the time, Fallon said he was stepping down due to press reports that suggested he was opposed to then-President George W. Bush's Iran policies. He said the reports were wrong but the perception had become a distraction. Cooper is a surface warfare officer and served on guided-missile cruisers, destroyers, aircraft carriers and amphibious assault ships. He commanded a destroyer and a cruiser. During his time leading the 5th Fleet, Cooper set up the Navy's first unmanned and artificial intelligence task force, and he led naval operations against the Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen. He also oversaw the Navy's role in Operation Prosperity Guardian, the U.S.-led coalition created in late 2023 to counter Houthi attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea. He previously served as commander of Naval Surface Force Atlantic and commander of U.S. Naval Forces Korea. Cooper is the son of a career Army officer and got his master's degree in strategic intelligence from the National Intelligence University. Anderson, nominated to lead operations in Africa, is a pilot who has flown the KC-135 tanker, the C-130 transport aircraft and the U-28A surveillance aircraft used largely by special operations forces. He has flown more than 3,400 flight hours, including 738 in combat. He is currently serving as the director of joint force development on the Joint Staff. According to the Air Force, he commanded a special operations squadron, an expeditionary squadron, an operations group and a special operations wing. He also led the task force that coordinated the repositioning of U.S. forces from Somalia and headed Special Operations Command, Africa, from 2019 to 2021. Africa Command is the newest of the Pentagon's geographic commands and covers the bulk of the African continent. Much of the U.S. military's efforts there have focused on combatting extremist groups and training local forces. Anderson would be the seventh general to head Africa Command. To date, four of the previous leaders were Army generals and two were Marines. Anderson is from Ypsilanti, Michigan, and graduated from the ROTC program at Washington University in St. Louis.
News.com.au
17-05-2025
- Business
- News.com.au
Why this Camberwell family home of 40 years cracked $4.2m
A Camberwell home with a rooftop city view and four decades of family memories has sold under the hammer for $4.298m in front of a packed crowd who crammed indoors to escape the rain. The five-bedroom Victorian at 9 Avenue Rd had been in the same hands for more than 40 years before Saturday's auction brought a crowd of about 80 into the home's expansive open-plan living zone. Despite the weather, four local families competed for the keys, with two pushing the price well beyond the $3.95m on-the-market figure. The result also soared above the property's initial $3.7m-$3.9m price guide. Set on about 815sq m, the double-fronted, double-brick home blends original marble fireplaces, ceiling roses and hall arches with a luxurious renovation completed about 15 years ago. Behind its iron-laced verandah and high front fence lies a gas and solar heated pool, a spa pavilion, commercial-grade outdoor kitchen and a city-facing rooftop terrace. It also features a theatre room, ground-floor guest suite and a four-car basement garage — features that helped make it a standout among prestige offerings in the suburb. All four bidders were from nearby, with the home eventually secured by a local family. The sellers, who are now downsizing, were supported by their extended family during the auction and described as private but warm, with neighbours dropping by during the campaign to share fond memories of the home and the people in it. Ray White Balwyn auctioneer Brad Cooper said it was an emotional day for the vendors, but the result was a testament to the quality of the property and its location just steps from Camberwell Junction and close to top schools and transport. The property is also zoned for Camberwell High School. Despite the wet weather, Mr Cooper said the auction ran smoothly indoors thanks to the home's spacious design — with several large living areas making it feel more like a party than a property sale.
Yahoo
04-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Overland Park mayor talks Royals in city; look at 2025 Kansas legislative session
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Kansas side suburb of Overland Park scored a major employer this past week when .' The high-tech financial industry Fortune 500 company says it will add 2000 jobs by 2030 to the Aspira Campus. See the latest headlines in Kansas City and across Kansas, Missouri Overland Park Mayor Curt Skoog makes his first appearance on '4 The People' to talk about what it means, and whether the city remains a 'player' in the Royals sweepstakes. Then Brad Cooper of the Sunflower State Journal shares his insights on the 2025 Kanas legislative session. Plus, a look ahead to governor's races coming next year. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
