‘Bold’ general who led US’ ‘Midnight Hammer’ strikes on Iran ends Middle East reign

Gen. Michael "Erik" Kurilla, the military officer who oversaw the execution of the Iran strikes in June, has retired from military service and has handed over the reins following three years leading U.S. troops in the Middle East. Kurilla, a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, became commander of U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) in 2022, and oversaw planning and execution of at least 15 major combined combat operations, according to the command.Among those, two occurred during his final months leading the command: Operation Rough Rider targeting the Houthis in Yemen in March and