The US will transfer control of two key NATO command posts to the Europeans
The United States will transfer command of two major NATO command centres located in Naples, Italy, and Norfolk, Virginia, to European officers, Reuters reported, citing a military source.
According to the agency's interlocutor, as part of the command structure review, European officers are to head the Allied Joint Force Command in Naples and the Joint Force Command Norfolk. Currently, these commands are headed by American admirals. The Reuters source noted that the changes are in line with the demands of US President Donald Trump, who insists that European countries take more responsibility for their own security. The US administration has also called for the Alliance to move towards a format that Washington refers to as European leadership in NATO.
At the same time, according to a military source and another person familiar with the matter, the US plans to head three commands that are lower in the hierarchy but play an important role in operations. These are the Allied Air Command, Allied Maritime Command and Allied Land Command.
Commenting on the planned changes, a NATO representative said that the allies had agreed on a new division of responsibilities among senior officers in the NATO command structure and that European allies, including the newest members of the Alliance, would play a more prominent role in military leadership. According to him, the decision concerns the planning of future rotations, and additional details will be announced later.
