CENTCOM X profile pic | Image by U.S. Central Command @CENTCOM/X

The Pentagon announced Wednesday that President Donald Trump has nominated two senior military officers for key combatant command positions.

Navy Vice Admiral Charles Cooper II would lead U.S. Central Command, while Air Force Lieutenant General Dagvin Anderson would take charge of U.S. Africa Command.

The nominations come as both commands face evolving security challenges. CENTCOM oversees military operations across the Middle East, while AFRICOM manages U.S. military activities throughout the African continent.

Cooper currently serves as deputy commander at CENTCOM headquarters in MacDill Air Force Base, Florida. His nomination would elevate him to full admiral and place him in charge of the command he’s been helping to run.

Anderson would make the jump from the Pentagon to Stuttgart, Germany. He currently directs joint force development for the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth announced the change on June 4. Both officers require Senate confirmation before assuming their new roles.

CENTCOM’s area of responsibility includes 21 countries from Egypt to Pakistan. The command has managed U.S. military operations in Iraq, Syria, and Afghanistan over the past two decades.

AFRICOM covers 53 African nations and focuses on counterterrorism, training partnerships, and humanitarian missions. The command has grown increasingly important as extremist groups expand across the Sahel region.

Upon confirmation, Cooper would replace the current CENTCOM commander, and Anderson would similarly take over AFRICOM leadership from its current commander.