Air Force 3-Star Nominated as NATO’s Top Officer

An Airman with years of experience overseeing air operations in the Middle East is next in line to lead NATO forces as the top U.S. military official in Europe.

Lt. Gen. Alexus G. Grynkewich is nominated for promotion to serve as the four-star head of U.S. European Command, the Pentagon announced June 5. If confirmed by the Senate, Grynkewich would also assume the title of Supreme Allied Commander Europe, NATO’s top military officer, amid the bloodiest conflict on the continent since World War II.

The North Atlantic Council, made up of representatives from each member nation who make political decisions for NATO, has approved the nomination. Grynkewich is expected to step into the role this summer, the alliance said in a June 5 release.

He would replace Army Gen. Christopher G. Cavoli, who has held the dual role since July 2022. Grynkewich is set to be the fifth Airman in the post since Army Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower was nominated as the first SACEUR in 1950. U.S. flag officers have served as SACEUR at the alliance’s main military command center in Belgium ever since. 

The European Command boss leads about 84,000 U.S. troops at more than 40 bases across the continent.

Grynkewich would take over at NATO’s Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe at a critical moment for the transatlantic alliance. Russia’s looming threat has spurred NATO nations to hike defense spending and cooperate with new urgency as Russia’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine — which borders four alliance members — continues into its fourth year. Ukraine does not belong to NATO.

Gen. Carsten Breuer, Germany’s defense chief, told the BBC earlier this week he believes Russia could attack NATO by 2029. His prediction comes as the U.S. plans to begin discussing the potential withdrawal of American troops from Europe with its allies on the continent later this year.

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte is urging member nations to invest further in defense, particularly on munitions, as the U.S. turns its focus to the Pacific.

Grynkewich currently serves as the Joint Staff’s operations director. From July 2022 to April 2024, he worked at the heart of U.S. military action in the Middle East as commander of Air Forces Central. That included overseeing airstrikes against Iranian proxy groups, protecting ground troops, and helping Israel defeat a massive Iranian drone and missile attack the night of April 13, 2024, just a few days before handing over command to Lt. Gen. Derek C. France.

“It has been the honor of a lifetime,” the F-16 and F-22 fighter pilot told Air & Space Forces Magazine last year about his AFCENT time. “I’ve learned and grown as a leader myself in this position, and wouldn’t trade the experience for anything else.”

Grynkewich is the third flag officer and the second Airman nominated this week to lead one of the Pentagon’s 11 combatant commands around the globe. On June 4, President Donald Trump nominated Lt. Gen. Dagvin R.M. Anderson, to lead U.S. Africa Command. Anderson would become the first Airman in that role if confirmed.