“A more equitable distribution of burdens.” Germany will hold more top positions in NATO's military command structure than the US
NATO flag. Photo: Inquam Photos / Eduard Vînătoru
Germany will soon occupy more top positions in NATO's military command structure than the United States, as a result of a new distribution of responsibilities, sources told the German DPA agency on Tuesday, citing Agerpres.
This change is part of a transition towards a more equitable distribution of tasks and responsibilities within NATO, the North Atlantic Alliance said in a statement published on Tuesday.
“Allies have agreed on a new distribution of senior officer responsibilities within the NATO Command Structure, in which European allies, including NATO's newest members, will play a greater role in the military leadership of the Alliance,” NATO said in a statement.
At the same time, NATO has specified that the United States will continue to assume military leadership responsibilities, for example, continuing to hold the position of Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR).
The US reaffirmed its firm commitment to NATO, explained Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone, the president of the NATO Military Committee.
All three Joint Forces Commands will be led by Europeans in the future
The changes in the allocation of posts foresee that Great Britain will take over from the US the command of the Combined Forces Command in Norfolk, in the American state of Virginia, and Italy will take over from the US the command of the Combined Forces Command in Naples.
Germany and Poland will also share, by rotation, command of the Joint Forces Command in Brunssum, in the Netherlands, NATO said.
As a result of the planned changes, all three Joint Forces Commands will be headed by Europeans in the future. The four-star commands lead at the operational level, under the strategic command of SACEUR, in case of crises and conflicts.
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On the other hand, the United States will lead all three commands at the level of strategic operational areas and will also take responsibility for the NATO Allied Maritime Command (MARCOM) in Northwood, United Kingdom.
They already lead the Allied Land Command in Turkey (LANDCOM) and the Allied Air Command (AIRCOM) from the Ramstein base in Germany.
The fact that Germany will soon be so heavily represented in the NATO command structure is due to the fact that, in addition to the three- and four-star generals in the aforementioned commands, other general positions are being considered.
The changes will be implemented gradually in the coming years – in accordance with the established personnel rotations.
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