United States to Hand Over Two NATO Command Posts to Europeans

(Patria) - The United States will hand over two main NATO command posts in Naples, Italy, and Norfolk, Virginia, to European officers, a military source told Reuters on Monday.

This move aligns with US President Donald Trump's demands for European nations to take greater responsibility for their own security. His administration has called for the alliance, long dominated by the United States, to become a "Europe-led NATO".

As part of the command reconstruction, European officers would take over Allied Joint Force Command Naples and Joint Force Command Norfolk, currently headed by US admirals, the source said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

The United States would take over three lower-ranking commands that carry significant operational responsibility - Allied Air Command, Allied Maritime Command, and Allied Land Command, military sources and another person familiar with the situation said.

Asked about the planned changes, a NATO official said: "Allies have agreed on a new distribution of responsibilities for senior officers in NATO's command structure in which European allies, including the newest NATO members, will play a more prominent role in the Alliance's military leadership."

The official said the decision relates to "planning future rotations" and that more details would be provided in due course.