His notable commands have included the 75th Ranger Regiment from 2009 to 2011 and the 82nd Airborne Division from 2016 to 2018. Kurilla was stationed in the Middle East from 2004 to 2014, where he was awarded two Purple Hearts and the Bronze Starwith valor during the Iraq War. He served as the chief of staff of Central Command from 2018 to 2019 and as the commanding general of XVIII Airborne Corps from 2019 to 2022. During the latter, he oversaw the deployment of the corps to Europe amidst the 2021–22 Russo-Ukrainian crisis.
From 2004 to 2014, he was stationed in the geographic area of responsibility of the United States Central Command,[2] deploying to Iraq, Afghanistan, and Syria.[4] In the fall of 2004,[6] he deployed to Iraq as the commander of 1st Battalion, 24th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade, 25th Infantry Division.[7] He was awarded a Bronze Star with "V" device after a battle in Mosul in which he "was shot three times but continued to fire back at insurgents while directing his troops."[7][8][9] During his time in Mosul from 2004 to 2005, the battalion was instrumental in restoring control over the city after successful insurgent attacks on Iraqi police stations in November 2004.[6] Kurilla was awarded two Purple Hearts and the Bronze Star Medal with valor for his actions in the Iraq War.[10]
Gen. Kurilla is congratulated by his predecessor, Gen Frank McKenzie as he assumes command of CENTCOM on 1 April 2022.
In January 2022, he was nominated for promotion to four-star general and assignment as commander of the United States Central Command.[13][7][14] Kurilla took up the post in April 2022.[2][15] General Mark Milley, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff at the time of his nomination, described Kurilla as the "perfect leader of CENTCOM" due to his knowledge and his experience in both combat and staff officer positions. As the CENTCOM commander when the violence broke out in the region after the October 7 attacks and the start of the Gaza war, Kurilla has provided the Joe Biden and Donald Trump administrations with military options and oversaw their implementation.[16] Kurilla worked to respond to attacks on U.S. forces in Iraq, Syria, Jordan, and in the Red Sea.[17]
In April 2024 he was dispatched to Israel in anticipation of an Iranian counter-attack following the 2024 Iranian consulate airstrike in Damascus by Israel on April 1, in which several Iranian military leaders were killed.[18] After the Iranian strikes against Israel that occurred that month, Kurilla began organizing a regional air defense network among countries that do not have diplomatic relations with Israel.[17] In September he again visited Israel for consultations with defence minister Yoav Gallant.[19] As of November 2024, Kurilla was under investigation after shoving an airman upon being asked to take his seat and buckle up for his safety during a flight to Israel.[20]
On 10 June 2025, during the negotiations between the United States and Iran on its nuclear program, Kurilla said at a congressional hearing that he prepared a "wide range" of military options for President Donald Trump if negotiations fail.[23] Kurilla has called for a military response against Iran following the Twelve-Day War; his role in the conflict was considered to be unusually significant, with U.S. defence secretary Pete Hegseth seen as deferring to Kurilla during the conflict.[24][25] He oversaw Operation Midnight Hammer on 22 June, the strike on three Iranian nuclear facilities.[22]
On 8 August 2025, he was succeeded by Brad Cooper as commander of U.S. Central Command.[26] Kurilla recommended Cooper to President Donald Trump, who took Kurilla's advice into consideration.[17]
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