The four-star Army general in charge of U.S. Central Command is under investigation on allegations of pushing a subordinate service member during a recent trip to the Middle East, according to three U.S. officials familiar with the investigation.
The Army Criminal Investigation Division is looking into allegations that Gen. Michael “Erik” Kurilla shoved an airman while traveling on a C-17 several weeks ago, the officials said.
The alleged incident occurred when Kurilla became frustrated on the flight when the plane experienced communication problems and logistical issues, the officials said.
After an airman asked Kurilla to take his seat and buckle up for his safety, the general allegedly lashed out, pushing the airman aside. Multiple service members were present and witnessed the reported altercation, the officials said.
The Army Criminal Investigation Division said in a statement that it is “aware of an alleged incident and is currently looking into it. No additional information is available at this time.”
The Army Criminal Investigation Division is an independent federal law enforcement agency responsible for felony criminal investigations and operations. Its website states that its primary mission includes investigating serious crimes.
A spokesperson for U.S. Central Command was not aware of an investigation. A spokesperson for the Office of the Secretary of Defense declined to comment.
It’s not clear whether Kurilla could be removed or suspended from his position pending the outcome of the investigation. For now, he remains in the job and is currently traveling in the Middle East, according to a senior administration official.
Kurilla has been at the helm of CENTCOM, the combatant command in the Middle East and Central Asia, since April 2022. He spends months of every year traveling throughout the region, and that has increased since the Hamas terrorist attack on Israel on Oct. 7 last year. He has traveled to Israel multiple times, and coordinated its defense when Iran launched a retaliatory air attack in April in response to an Israeli attack on an Iranian diplomatic facility in Syria.
The CENTCOM commander’s position generally has a three-year term, meaning Kurilla is expected to relinquish command April 1, 2025.
Before leading CENTCOM, Kurilla commanded the 75th Ranger Regiment, the 82nd Airborne Division and the XVIII Airborne Corps. He was also the assistant commanding general of the Joint Special Operations Command. He was awarded a Bronze Star with valor after a battle in Mosul, Iraq, in 2005, in which he was shot multiple times but continued to fight alongside his troops.