US Transfers Command of Two NATO Headquarters to Europeans

Strategic Shift in NATO Command Structure

The United States is transferring command of two key NATO operational headquarters to European officers, marking a significant strategic shift in the alliance's military leadership. The headquarters in Naples, Italy, responsible for the southern flank of NATO territory, and the Norfolk, Virginia headquarters overseeing the North Atlantic region will both see American admirals replaced by European commanders.

Burden-Sharing and Trump's Pressure

This move comes amid persistent pressure from President Donald Trump for European NATO allies to take greater responsibility for their own defense. According to Reuters, the command transfer is directly linked to Trump's demands for increased European burden-sharing within the alliance. 'This represents a fundamental rebalancing of responsibilities within NATO,' said a European defense official who spoke on condition of anonymity. 'European allies are stepping up to meet their security obligations.'

Command Exchange Details

In exchange for relinquishing these two operational headquarters, the U.S. will assume command of NATO's maritime command (MARCOM) based near London, which is currently led by a British officer. The operational headquarters are considered slightly higher in NATO's hierarchy than the overarching commands like MARCOM. The Norfolk headquarters, officially known as Joint Force Command Norfolk (JFC-NF), was established in 2018 and reached full operational capability in 2021, focusing on securing Atlantic sea lines against rising Russian threats.

Broader Context of U.S. Disengagement

This development follows recent news that the U.S. is withdrawing personnel from two military knowledge centers in the Netherlands - the Centres of Excellence in Utrecht and The Hague. These centers focus on command expertise and civil-military cooperation respectively. While not officially part of NATO, they are operated by NATO countries that value their contributions.

The timing is particularly notable as NATO defense ministers prepare to meet in Brussels on Thursday. U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth will be represented by a subordinate, signaling Washington's diminished prioritization of the alliance. 'The American absence speaks volumes,' noted a Brussels-based NATO analyst. 'This isn't just about command changes - it's about the fundamental transatlantic relationship shifting.'

European Reactions and Future Implications

European NATO members reportedly breathed a sigh of relief after Trump withdrew his threat to acquire Greenland during the recent World Economic Forum in Davos, avoiding a potential crisis. However, the command transfers indicate deeper structural changes are underway.

According to Vanguard, Italy is expected to take over the Naples command while Britain assumes control of Norfolk. The implementation will unfold over several months and involve the withdrawal of approximately 200 U.S. personnel from NATO structures.

European countries have committed to increasing defense spending, with some discussions about raising targets from 2% to 5% of GDP. 'We're witnessing the Europeanization of NATO's regional commands,' said a senior NATO diplomat. 'This could lead to further U.S. troop reductions in Europe as Washington shifts focus to Indo-Pacific challenges, particularly China.'

Sources

Reuters: US to turn over 2 NATO command posts to Europeans
NATO Joint Force Command Norfolk
Allied Joint Force Command Naples
Vanguard: US cedes two NATO commands to Europe
ROIC: US transfers key NATO commands