NATO Transfers Commands to Europe, Cuts U.S. Leadership Roles

NATO announced the transfer of two Joint Force Commands from U.S. to European leadership, with the United Kingdom assuming command of Norfolk, Virginia’s Joint Force Command and Italy taking control of Joint Force Command Naples. The shift, expected to occur gradually over the coming years, follows President Trump’s demands that European allies assume greater responsibility for continental defense. A Pentagon official stated the decision was “made jointly among all allies” and strengthens the alliance by demonstrating European leadership in European defense.

The Trump administration’s National Defense Strategy, released last month, mandates that NATO allies assume primary responsibility for Europe’s defense while the U.S. prioritizes homeland defense and deterring China. Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Elbridge Colby, the strategy’s lead author, is attending this week’s NATO Defense Ministerial in place of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, marking the first such ministerial Hegseth has skipped since taking office. The U.S. will retain the position of Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR), currently held by Air Force General Alexus G. Grynkewich, who leads 80,000 U.S. service members in European Command.

Once implemented, all three Joint Force Commands directing operational crises will be under European control, while the U.S. assumes leadership of the Allied Maritime Command, currently led by a U.K. vice admiral. Germany and Poland will share rotational command of Joint Force Command Brunssum. The Norfolk facility housing one command will remain under U.S. Navy control despite the change in operational leadership, preserving American infrastructure presence on the continent.

The command restructuring reflects Trump’s stated priority of reducing U.S. military commitments abroad and shifting costs to allied nations. NATO’s announcement preceded this week’s defense ministerial meeting, where Trump administration officials will face European counterparts regarding defense spending increases and strategic burden-sharing arrangements.

(Source: https://www.cbsnews.com/amp/news/nato-to-shift-2-commands-from-us-to-european-leadership/)