U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has recommended that President Trump nominate Air Force Lt. Gen. Alexus Grynkewich to take command of U.S. European Command (EUCOM), a prestigious position that also serves as NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander Europe.
The nomination, while not yet official, signals a pivotal moment for American defense posture in Europe, as the Pentagon reevaluates its global force deployment and NATO’s future faces growing uncertainty.
According to a senior U.S. defense official, a U.S. government source, and two congressional aides, the recommendation has been made but must still undergo White House review and be sent to the Senate for confirmation.
These individuals spoke on the condition of anonymity due to the ongoing nature of the decision-making process.
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Lt. Gen. Grynkewich is currently the Joint Staff’s director for operations, a role he assumed in April 2024. In this position, he has helped coordinate U.S. military actions around the globe amid major crises, including the continuing war in Ukraine, conflict in Gaza, and rising tensions in the Indo-Pacific.
Known as a highly regarded officer within the Pentagon, Grynkewich previously served on the staff of U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), where he played a key role in military operations across the Middle East. He is also a seasoned pilot, having flown both the F-16 and F-22 fighter jets.
His nomination comes as the U.S. weighs a significant shift in its approach to European defense, echoing broader changes under the Trump administration.
Hegseth, echoing the President’s longstanding skepticism of NATO burden-sharing, has called on allies to dramatically increase their military spending — from the current 2% GDP baseline to a proposed 5%.
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“Leaders of our European allies should take primary responsibility for defense of the continent,” Hegseth said during a February speech at NATO headquarters.
This posture has influenced the U.S. role in Ukraine aid coordination as well. While Washington played a central leadership role in the first two years of the war, Hegseth has since scaled back American involvement in the coalition gatherings supporting Ukraine’s self-defense.
The most recent meeting in April was chaired by Britain and Germany, with Hegseth attending only via video conference.
The EUCOM commander has always worn two hats — leading U.S. forces in Europe and serving as NATO’s top military officer, a position first held by Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower. But reports that the U.S. might relinquish the latter role sparked pushback from lawmakers on both sides of the aisle.
In March, the chairs of the House and Senate Armed Services Committees issued a joint warning: “We will not accept significant changes to our warfighting structure that are made without a rigorous interagency process, coordination with combatant commanders and the Joint Staff and collaboration with Congress.”
Currently, about 80,000 U.S. troops are stationed in Europe, a number that swelled by 20,000 following Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine under the Biden administration.
But that boost may not last much longer. A Defense Department review is now underway, reassessing force posture worldwide.
European officials reportedly expect the U.S. to begin withdrawing some of these troops, beginning with the additional 20,000 sent post-invasion.
The Pentagon has not confirmed any final decisions, with a spokesperson stating that “no decisions have yet been made during the force posture review.”
Still, the potential changes raise concern among those advocating for a sustained U.S. presence. Gen. Christopher Cavoli, the current head of EUCOM, defended the existing force levels during an April hearing before the House Armed Services Committee.
“It’s my advice to maintain that force posture as it is now,” he said.
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Cavoli is expected to retire in early July, joining a wave of high-profile leadership changes in U.S. military commands across Europe. Gen. James Hecker, who leads U.S. Air Forces in Europe, is also retiring this month. His replacement has not yet been named.
Meanwhile, Hegseth dismissed Vice Adm. Shoshana Chatfield, a key figure within NATO’s command structure, in April — further adding to the reshuffling of senior defense roles.
Beyond Europe, Hegseth is also reshaping leadership in the Middle East. According to The Washington Post, he has recommended Vice Adm. Brad Cooper, currently deputy commander of CENTCOM, to lead U.S. forces in that region.
The decision passed over Gen. James Mingus, the Army’s vice chief of staff, who had been considered the top candidate for the role.
As of now, the White House has not commented on any of the personnel recommendations, and it remains to be seen how Congress will respond to Hegseth’s broader strategic vision — one that leans heavily on allies taking a lead role, even as global instability continues to grow.
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