Gen. Michael "Erik" Kurilla conducted a Middle East tour from July 20 to August 2, his final regional trip as outgoing commander of US Central Command (CENTCOM).

The visit to Kuwait was aimed at strengthening bonds, deepening defense cooperation and reaffirming the alliance between their two nations.

Kurilla met with Kuwait Deputy Chief of Staff Maj. Gen. Sabah Jaber al-Ahmad al‑Sabah on July 24.

Discussions centered on enhancing bilateral military cooperation, ensuring regional peace and advancing shared defense interests, according to media reports.

Both leaders praised decades of coordination and stressed the need for intensified collaborative efforts.

In an August 4 statement, Kurilla said he returned from the trip with renewed optimism about the shared vision of regional stability and strategic opportunities with partner nations.

He has since officially relinquished command of CENTCOM to US Navy Adm. Brad Cooper.

Cooper, who previously served as CENTCOM's deputy commander, has said he will help bolster partnerships and enhance regional security and stability in the Central Command region.

Longstanding partnership

The US-Kuwait defense partnership is built on decades of close cooperation, shaped by key moments that underscored both nations' commitment to security and stability.

It began with the establishment of a US consulate in Kuwait in 1951, a decade before the country's independence, which laid the foundation for deepening diplomatic and security ties.

The partnership took on new weight in the late 1980s during Operation Earnest Will. This was the largest US naval convoy operation since World War II.

US forces safeguarded Kuwait's vital oil exports with naval escorts, airborne surveillance and special operations.

A few years later, the United States led a coalition to liberate Kuwait after Iraq's invasion in 1990.

The victory cemented the United States' role as Kuwait's primary security partner.

In 1991, the two countries signed the Defense Cooperation Agreement, creating a framework for training, joint exercises, arms sales and US access to Kuwaiti facilities.

The agreement proved critical in 1994 when Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein again massed troops near Kuwait's border. A rapid US deployment deterred further aggression.

In 2004, the United States designated Kuwait a Major Non-NATO Ally, giving it special security benefits and expanding defense cooperation.

Today, Kuwait hosts the forward headquarters of US Army Central. It also serves as a major logistics hub for US forces across the Middle East.

Recent Foreign Military Sales, including advanced Patriot missile systems, reflect Kuwait's ongoing modernization and the trust that anchors this enduring alliance.