The United States is set to transfer command of two key NATO bases to top European military officials, according to reports in the French press.
The American admirals currently in charge of Joint Force Command (JFC) Naples in Italy, and JFC Norfolk in Virginia, USA, will be replaced by European commanders when their postings come to an end, an insider told La Lettre. The report has not been officially confirmed by NATO.
The two operational headquarters in Italy and the US each handle the defence of a portion of the NATO area of operations. JFC Naples covers the southern flank, while JFC Norfolk covers the northern flank. A third nerve centre in Brunssum, the Netherlands, oversees the defence of the central area of operations.
JFC Norfolk, JFC Naples, and JFC Brunssum are led by the highest NATO commander, Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR), at Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) in Mons.
It is still unclear who will succeed the two departing admirals in Norfolk and Naples. The NATO headquarters in Brunssum has been led by either a German or an Italian for years.
The US wants the SACEUR role to remain in American hands, according to La Lettre. After President Donald Trump took office, the United States considered relinquishing this important post, arguing that Europe would have to shoulder more of its own defence. However, the US ultimately nominated an American. Sources told La Lettre this position will remain unchanged.
The US is also reportedly considering taking over command of NATO’s naval headquarters. MARCOM, just outside London, is currently headed by a British officer.
The Trump administration has long warned that European NATO allies must provide for their own defence, with the exception of nuclear weapons. Here and there, Europe’s great postwar patron is already putting his words into action. For example, the US is gradually withdrawing troops and personnel from Europe.
A previous version of this article incorrectly stated that the US would hand over command of Allied Command Transformation (ACT) in Norfolk.
