Commander of U.S. Campaign Against Iran Calls Alabama Home

Admiral Brad Cooper, head of CENTCOM, attended high school in Montgomery before joining the Navy.

Apr. 1, 2026 at 1:00pm

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Admiral Brad Cooper, the commander overseeing the U.S. military's campaign against Iran, has deep ties to Alabama. Cooper attended Sidney Lanier High School in Montgomery before graduating from the U.S. Naval Academy and rising through the ranks to lead CENTCOM, which oversees operations in the Middle East and surrounding regions.

Why it matters

Cooper's Alabama roots provide insight into the background of a key military leader directing the ongoing U.S. operations against Iran, which have already resulted in significant casualties. His personal connection to the state also highlights how the impacts of global conflicts can hit close to home for local communities.

The details

Cooper was born in North Carolina but spent time in Montgomery as a teenager, attending Sidney Lanier High School before joining the Navy. He later earned advanced degrees and rose to become the commander of CENTCOM, the U.S. military's central command responsible for the Middle East. In testimony before the Senate, Cooper referenced his Alabama ties, describing his wife as his 'high school sweetheart from Montgomery'.

  • Cooper attended Sidney Lanier High School in Montgomery in the 1980s.
  • Cooper was nominated to lead CENTCOM and confirmed as an admiral in 2025.
  • The U.S. campaign against Iran, launched with Israel, began on February 28, 2026.

The players

Admiral Brad Cooper

The commander of the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), which oversees military operations in the Middle East and surrounding regions. Cooper is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and has advanced degrees from Harvard and Tufts.

Susan Cooper

Admiral Cooper's wife, described as his 'high school sweetheart from Montgomery, Alabama'.

Sidney Lanier High School

The high school in Montgomery, Alabama that Admiral Cooper attended before joining the Navy.

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What they’re saying

“She was there when my parents signed a waiver so that I could attend the Naval Academy at age 17.”

— Admiral Brad Cooper, Commander, U.S. Central Command

What’s next

The U.S. campaign against Iran, launched in February 2026, is ongoing, with no clear end in sight. The Senate Armed Services Committee will continue to oversee CENTCOM's operations and Cooper's leadership.

The takeaway

Admiral Cooper's Alabama roots highlight how global conflicts can have deep personal connections to local communities. His path from a Montgomery high school to commanding the U.S. military's central operations in the Middle East reflects the far-reaching impacts of America's foreign policy decisions.