The head of US troops in Europe warns the Pentagon plans to restructure the European Military Command
Pentagon's deliberations regarding the restructuring of some parts of the American army, including the possible renunciation of the head of NATO forces in Europe and the merger of commands, could present challenges, warned commander Christopher Cavoli, the American with the highest rank in Europe, reports Reuters, taken over by News.ro.
American congregations have expressed concern about the internal discussions at Pentagon, where the Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has complained that he has too many four and three-star generals on the state of payment.
Heard in Congress, Christopher Cavoli, the Supreme Commander of NATO forces in Europe, said that the fusion of US military commandments in Europe and Africa would be a considerable effort.
“I would have responsibility for another 50 countries, it would be an exaggeration”said Cavoli in front of the Senate Armed Services Commission.
The US Command for Africa was transformed into a separate command in 2008, in a sign of recognizing the national security interests in the region.
Hegseth also envisages to give up having an American military official as NATO's supreme commander in Europe (Saceur), a position that has been held so far by an American, officials for Reuters said.
American support for Europe
Cavoli, who is currently the head of the US and Saceur European Command (NATO forces in Europe), said it would be a challenge for nuclear order and control and open the possibility of American troops led by a US military official. “I think these are things that should be carefully analyzed”, Cavoli told the American senators.
The US Army has over 100,000 soldiers on the continent, but Hegseth told European colleagues that they should not assume that the presence of the United States will be there forever.
Republican Senator Eric Schmitt said that for decades, Europe has ignored US concerns about the amount of continent's expenses.
“Maybe we should have a discussion about the role of supreme commander of the Allied forces. Perhaps the presence of an American general in this chair favors this string“He said
He quoted on Dwight Eisenhower, who was commander Saceur: “If in 10 years, all American troops stationed in Europe for national defense purposes will not return to the United States, then the entire project (NATO) will be failed ”
