The commander of U.S. Central Command said Thursday that American forces across the Middle East are rearming and adjusting tactics during the ceasefire with Iran, while maintaining a high state of readiness following recent combat operations.
"Representing the more than 50,000 American service members deployed throughout the Middle East today, supporting operations," Adm. Bradley Cooper said at a Pentagon press conference alongside War Department Secretary Pete Hegseth and Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine, airing live on Newsmax and Newsmax2.
Cooper said he recently returned from his second trip to the region in just over two weeks, visiting U.S. troops across more than 70 locations.
"Yesterday, I returned from my second trip to the Middle East in the past 15 days, two very different visits, one during our offensive operations against Iran and the second in this most recent trip during the ongoing ceasefire," he said.
During those visits, Cooper said he met with service members involved in key operations against Iran and recognized more than 100 troops for their actions.
"I had the privilege of personally recognizing more than 100 servicemen and women for their extraordinary valor, their courage, and their initiative under fire and delivering fire," he said.
He described a range of operations carried out by U.S. forces, including airstrikes and defensive actions.
"You've seen this play out over TV: fighter pilots who took out Iranian missile launchers in the moments prior to their launch against Americans and our partners and who hit key military targets in and around Tehran on the attack more than 13,000 times," Cooper said.
Cooper also pointed to emerging technologies and tactics being used by U.S. forces in the region.
"I spent time with our troops who are employing cutting-edge tactics and technology for the first time in warfare," he said. "I met with teams who are employing AI every single day to help us sift through vast amounts of information to help us make decisions faster."
He said U.S. personnel are also adapting Iranian-designed drones for American use.
"These were originally Iranian-designed drones. We brought them back to America, took the guts out, put a Native American stamp on them, and fired them right back to Iran. Very effective," he said.
Cooper highlighted the role of logistics and missile defense units, saying U.S. forces are moving "thousands of tons every single day" and that air defense teams "most certainly saved thousands of lives across the Middle East during [Operation] Epic Fury."
He said the current pause in fighting is being used to prepare for potential future operations.
"My personal assessment is that — after these couple of trips — is our troops are highly motivated, they're focused, they're vigilant, and they're ready, and they're using this time to do a couple of things: We're rearming, we're retooling, and we're adjusting our tactics, techniques, and procedures," Cooper said.
Cooper also emphasized the strength of U.S. partnerships in the region, saying allied cooperation has intensified following joint operations.
"Having now fought together side by side, I assessed that our military partnerships are stronger than ever," he said.
He cited coordination with Gulf allies, including Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, and Jordan, in addition to Israel.
"There's been no better teammate than Israel," Cooper said. "Together, the four best air forces in the world, the Israeli Air Force, the U.S. Air Force, and the Air Forces of the U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps, together met and exceeded our own military objectives over and over again."
Cooper said U.S. forces and partners have established what he described as "the largest air defense umbrella in the world," with American personnel embedded alongside allied troops.
"In creating the largest air defense umbrella in the world across the Middle East, we embedded specially trained U.S. military air defenders alongside our partner nation soldiers, side by side," he said.
He added that regional leaders have expressed strong support for U.S. forces.
"These leaders expressed appreciation for our service members who continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with our partners," Cooper said.
Cooper concluded by praising U.S. service members deployed in the region.
"We've asked them to stay ready during this period, and that's exactly what they're doing. I couldn't be prouder," he said.
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