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- Politics
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Meet Michael Erik Kurilla, US General known as 'Gorilla', who is handling West Asia crisis
General Michael Erik Kurilla is handling the US' plans for the crisis in West Asia. The four-star general, nicknamed 'Gorilla', for his physique, has been overriding decisions from his seniors at the Pentagon with the backing of US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth read more Lieutenant General Michael Kurilla is handling the US' response to the West Asia crisis. Reuters A four-star general nicknamed 'Gorilla' is handling the US' plans for the West Asia crisis. Though one would expect US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth to handle the matter, he has instead delegated power to General Michael Erik Kurilla. So much so that Kurilla is actually overriding decisions from senior members of the Pentagon. But who is Kurilla? What do we know about his handling of the crisis in West Asia? Let's take a closer look: STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Who is he? Kurilla hails from Minnesota's Elk River. He is known as 'Gorilla' because of his physique. Read Israel Iran conflict live updates Kurilla graduated from West Point's United States Military Academy with a BS in Aerospace Engineering. He also has an MBA from Regis University and a MS in National Security Studies from the National War College. Kurilla joined the infantry in 1988. General Michael 'Erik' Kurilla , Commander of U.S. Central Command. Reuters He has seen action in several countries including Panama, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Afghanistan and Bosnia. From 2004 to 2014, Kurilla led conventional and special operations forces in the US Central Command Area of Responsibility. He has been awarded several honours including Bronze Star in 2005 and the Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster. Kurilla was awarded the Bronze Star for leading his troops in the battle after being shot thrice. Kurilla was investigated by the US army last year for allegedly shoving a service member while being on a trip to West Asia. General Kurilla is married to Mary Paige. They have two daughters. How is he directing the US' plans? Kurilla has been Chief of Staff of CENTCOM, the combatant command in the Middle East and Central Asia, since April 2022. CENTCOM is the US military's top body in West Asia. Officials say Kurilla seems to get whatever he wants – from jet fighters to aircraft carriers – from Hegseth. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The Pentagon sent a second aircraft carrier, the USS Nimitz, to West Asia this week. The Pentagon has already deployed F-16s, F-22s, and F-35s to the region. Kurilla, who is said to be a noted hawk on Iran, is close to Israel. In fact, Hegseth's deference to Kurilla is raising eyebrows around the Pentagon. Experts say much of it comes down to the fact that he looks the part – which is particularly important to both Trump and Hegseth. 'He's got the look of the general that both Hegseth and Trump are looking for,' an ex-official told Politico. 'He's a big dude, he's jacked, he's exactly this 'lethality' look they're going for.' An F-35 fighter jet on the deck of the US nuclear-powered aircraft carrier George Washington. (Photo: AP) 'If the senior military guys come across as tough and warfighters, Hegseth is easily persuaded to their point of view,' the former official added. Kurilla 'has been very good at getting what he wants.' Kurilla has frequently a rgued against the recommendations of his superiors Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine and Pentagon policy chief Elbridge Colby. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Both Caine and Colby have urged caution when dealing with the situation in West Asia. 'He's extremely strategic and persuasive about what CENTCOM can do given adequate resources,' Dan Shapiro, who until January was the Pentagon's top West Asia policy official, told the outlet. 'That was certainly true in the Biden administration. It may be more true now.' Kurilla earlier this month told the US Congress that he offered President Trump and Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth a 'wide range' of military options in case talks with Iran don't pan out. With inputs from agenices
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Huron post office honors late veteran with new name
SIOUX FALLS S.D. (KELO) — The post office in Huron will now hold a new name. Family members, friends and residents gathered to honor fallen Army First Lt. Thomas Michael Martin by renaming the Huron post office in his memory, a news release from the United States Postal Office said. Buffalo Chip announces rally lineup According to the USPS, Martin was killed in action on October 14, 2007, in Iraq. Martin was awarded the Bronze Star Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster and the Purple Heart Medal posthumously. He's buried in the West Point National Cemetery and his hometown post office will be known as the First Lieutenant Michael Martin Post Office Building. Republican U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds and Huron Mayor Mark Robish attended a ceremony at the post office in Huron along with family members. 'Tom began his life here, died in Iraq fighting for freedom that each of us enjoy every day. Our family is so proud that this beautiful historic facility in what Tom always felt was his hometown, will now be the First Lieutenant Michael Martin Post Office Building,' Martin's father Ed said in a news release. Martin was born October 10, 1980, in Huron and in 1998, he enlisted in the United States Army as a Field Artilleryman. In 2001, he was accepted for admission to the United States Military Academy at West Point, and later graduated from Airborne School at Fort Benning, Georgia. He majored in Military Science, commissioned as an Armor Officer and completed the course at Fort Knox, Kentucky. He reported to the 1st Squadron, 40th Cavalry Regiment at Fort Richardson, Alaska where he assumed responsibility as the Sniper Platoon Leader and deployed with the unit in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in September 2006, a news release said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
30-01-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Pioneering Black Army general who lived in El Paso dies at 100
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — Retired Army Maj. Gen. Edward Greer, who broke racial barriers during his long Army career, died at age 100 at his El Paso home on Wednesday, Jan. 29, his family said. Greer, a native of Gary, West Virginia, lived in El Paso during his retirement and was an active member of the military and veterans community until the end of his life. His family, community and veterans groups in El Paso had several public celebrations last year when he turned 100. Army general looks back on Korea, Vietnam, integration as 100th birthday nears His family described him as 'a pioneering figure in the U.S. Army and a trailblazer for African American servicemembers. His remarkable career spanned three major conflicts and represented a significant period of change in the military's history.' Greer started out in the Army in 1943 when it was still segregated and rose up through the ranks. In 1972, he was became one of the first Black officers to be promoted to the rank of brigadier general (one-star general). Greer was one of five Black officers promoted to that rank in 1972, his family said. At the time, only four Blacks had previously ever reached the Army's general officer ranks, his family said. Greer was the last surviving member of that group of five who were promoted to brigadier general in 1972. Greer's career spanned three major conflicts — World War II, Vietnam and Korea — and 'represented a significant period of change in the military's history,' his family said. In Korea, he earned the Silver Star for calling artillery fire onto his own position to enable an infantry company to withdraw safely, his family said. In Vietnam, he served as deputy commander of XXIV Corps Artillery and later commanded the 108th Artillery Group. 'He held significant leadership positions, including deputy commanding general at Fort Leonard Wood and at the U.S. Army Military Personnel Center,' his family said. 'Greer's career trajectory from a segregated Army to becoming one of its highest-ranking Black officers exemplifies the progress made in military integration. His achievements helped pave the way for future generations of servicemembers,' his family said. Greer's awards included the aforementioned Silver Star, Legion of Merit with Oak Leaf Cluster, Bronze Star with Oak Leaf Cluster, Air Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal and Distinguished Service Medal. Upon retiring from the military in 1976, Greer and his wife relocated to El Paso, where he undertook a 30-year career in real estate. He stayed active in the community and was a fixture at events for local veterans organizations until the end of his life. He served as chairman of the Officers Retiree Council for Fort Bliss and on local boards for the American Cancer Society, Visiting Nurses Association, Association of U.S. Army, and the Association of El Paso Realtors. Greer was a graduate of West Virginia State College. He later earned a master's degree in international affairs from George Washington University. Greer grew up in Gary, West Virginia and was the son of a coal miner and union Walter Thomas Greer and wife Vesta Elaine Long. 'Greer's maternal grandfather was born into slavery, yet Greer and his two siblings all attended college just two generations later,' his family said. Greer is survived by his son Michael Edward Greer, MD (Steve Bryant and former wife Pamela Greer-Walker, MD) and his grandchildren Lisa Cobb, Alissa Maru (Anteneh), and Vaun Greer (Cynthia), along with six great-grandchildren Melia, Morgan, Maya, Zinzi, Clarke and Jude. He was preceded in death by his wife of 73 years, Jewell Means Greer, his daughter Gail Sharon Lyle and son Kenneth Wayne Greer. Memorial arrangements will be announced for El Paso and Washington, D.C. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
