New 3-Star USAFE, NATO Air Boss Takes Over Amid Russian Threats

Lt. Gen. Jason T. Hinds took charge of NATO Allied Air Command and U.S. Air Forces in Europe-Air Forces Africa on Oct. 31, one day after being confirmed for the post by the Senate. 

His confirmation comes as the U.S. seeks to shift more of the burden of protecting the European continent and as Russia has tested NATO’s defenses with airspace incursions.

Hinds will also oversee U.S. airpower in Africa, days after President Donald Trump and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth suggested the U.S. might take military action in Nigeria to prevent the alleged persecution of Christians in the country. 

In Europe, Hinds will lead air component commands under three organizations with two bosses: Air Force Gen. Alexus G. Grynkewich is NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander Europe and the head of U.S. European Command, and U.S. Africa Command is led by Air Force Gen. Dagvin R. M. Anderson.

Hinds will not, however, receive a fourth star in his new role, as the Pentagon chose to downgrade the position from a four-star billet to a three-star one, as part of Hegseth’s plan to reduce the number of senior military officers, particularly four-star generals. That move was first reported by Air & Space Forces Magazine. 

The commander of U.S. Air Forces in Europe has long been one of the most prestigious and prominent jobs in the Air Force. It has previously served as a launching pad for becoming the Chief of Staff of the Air Force or Supreme Allied Commander Europe. The head of USAFE had been a four-star job for decades, but with the retirement of Gen. James B. Hecker over the summer, the Pentagon saw an opportunity to reduce the rank of the position.

U.S. Army Europe and Africa remains headed by a four-star officer in Gen. Chris Donahue, who also leads NATO Allied Land Command. U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Africa is set to continue in a four-star role, as Vice Adm. George Wikoff, who previously led Naval Forces Central, was confirmed in September as a full admiral. NATO’s sea component, Allied Maritime Command, however, is led by three-star Royal Navy Vice Adm. Mike Utley.

Eventually, NATO is moving toward a structure in which all of its component commanders are three-star officers under the four-star Supreme Allied Commander Europe, a senior alliance official told Air & Space Forces Magazine.

Even at three stars, Hinds has major responsibilities. He will oversee an enhanced air defense presence, including increased air policing in the Baltics in response to Russian drone and aircraft incursions into alliance airspace under Operation Eastern Sentry, which launched in September.

“Threats are very real, and they’re becoming increasingly more complex. And threats are evolving at rates we have not experienced in recent history,” Hinds said, according to an account of remarks during an assumption of command ceremony held at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, where both NATO AIRCOM and USAFE-AFA are headquartered. “We are and we must continue to rapidly adapt to this new threat environment, and work together as Allies and partners to be ready for the high-end fight.”