NATO’s North Atlantic Council has approved the nomination of U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Alexus Grynkewich as the alliance’s next Supreme Allied Commander Europe. The approval follows a Thursday announcement from the Pentagon that President Donald Trump had promoted the official to four-star general and dual command of NATO’s Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe and the U.S. European Command.
Grynkewich is currently the director of operations of the Joint Staff, advising the chairman on global operations and coordinating communications between the White House, Department of Defense and combatant commands. A 1993 graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy, he has served as an instructor pilot, weapons officer and operational test pilot in F-16 Fighting Falcon and F-22 Raptor aircraft.
According to the Air Force, his career includes command at the squadron, wing and Air Expeditionary Task Force levels and staff assignments at Air Combat Command, U.S. Central Command, USEUCOM and the Air Force headquarters. Before his current role, Grynkewich led the 9th Air Force (Air Forces Central) and served as Combined Forces Air Component Commander for USCENTCOM in Southwest Asia.
Following national confirmation processes, NATO said the general is expected to assume his new role in summer 2025, succeeding Gen. Christopher Cavoli at a change of command ceremony in Mons, Belgium.