Charles Cooper II
Charles Bradford "Brad" Cooper II (born 1967) is a United States Navy vice admiral who has served as the deputy commander of United States Central Command since February 2024. He most recently served as commander of United States Naval Forces Central Command, Commander, United States Fifth Fleet and Commander, Combined Maritime Forces from 2021 to 2024. He previously served as Commander, Naval Surface Forces Atlantic and, before that, as the Chief of Legislative Affairs of the United States Navy.
Charles Cooper II | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1967 (age 56–57) Winston-Salem, North Carolina |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Service/ | United States Navy |
| Years of service | 1989–present |
| Rank | Vice Admiral |
| Commands held | United States Naval Forces Central Command United States Fifth Fleet Naval Surface Forces Atlantic Expeditionary Strike Group 7 United States Naval Forces Korea USS Gettysburg (CG-64) USS Russell (DDG-59) |
| Battles/wars | Gulf War War in Afghanistan |
| Awards | Navy Distinguished Service Medal Defense Superior Service Medal (2) Legion of Merit (4) Bronze Star Medal |
| Alma mater | United States Naval Academy (BS) National Intelligence University (MS) United States Army Command and General Staff College Harvard University Tufts University |
| Spouse(s) | Susan Cooper |
Cooper attended Sidney Lanier High School in Montgomery, Alabama. He is a 1989 graduate of the United States Naval Academy. Cooper later earned a master's degree in strategic intelligence from the National Intelligence University. During his tenure as commander of Naval Forces Korea, Cooper was bestowed the Korean name Goo Tae-il by the ROK-US Alliance Friendship Association in honor of his service to the Korean peninsula.
In April 2023, Cooper was nominated for reappointment as vice admiral and assignment as the deputy commander of United States Central Command.