General Alexus Grynkewich of the U.S. Air Force formally assumed the role of NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR) on Friday, emphasising alliance unity at a handover ceremony held at NATO’s military headquarters near Mons, Belgium.
The leadership change comes at a time of strategic uncertainty, as U.S. defence officials continue to review global force posture. This has raised concerns among European allies about the potential for future reductions in the roughly 80,000 U.S. troops currently stationed in Europe. The United States has held the SACEUR post since the role’s creation after World War II, but recent discussions about shifting more defence responsibilities to European nations have prompted debate over that longstanding tradition.
Despite these discussions, the U.S. nominated Grynkewich to succeed Army General Christopher Cavoli, who played a significant role in NATO’s response to Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine and in reshaping the alliance’s defense strategy.
“These are consequential times,” Grynkewich said at the ceremony, held in bright sunshine and attended by military officers and officials from across the alliance. “The threats we face are only becoming more intertwined, but they are no match for the unity, the resolve and the shared purpose that I see gathered on this field today,” he continued. “We stand ready in defence of our nations, and we’re only going to get better.”
Following the ceremony, Grynkewich—also known by his call sign “Grynch” from his career as a fighter pilot—told reporters it was too early to comment on the outcome of the U.S. force posture review.
European leaders, while pledging increased defense spending during a recent NATO summit, have emphasized the importance of a gradual and coordinated transition should any changes to the U.S. military presence occur, in order to prevent capability gaps across the continent.
During his U.S. Senate confirmation hearing, Grynkewich stated that he believes Ukraine “can win” its ongoing conflict with Russia and expressed support for continued assistance to Kyiv. After the ceremony in Mons, he declined to elaborate on the recent U.S. decision to pause certain arms deliveries to Ukraine, saying, “It’s a conversation that’s ongoing. I think we’ll see more play out in the next week or two.”
In addition to his NATO role, Grynkewich now also leads U.S. European Command, based in Stuttgart, Germany, overseeing all American military operations across Europe.
