5 days ago
Who is Alexus Grynkewich, the new top commander of Nato in Europe named by US
Airforce general Alexus Grynkewich has been nominated as the top commander of Nato in Europe by the United States on Wednesday. The appointment spearheaded by US President Donald Trump has been approved by 32 Nato allies, but has yet to receive confirmation by the US senate.
Tired of too many ads? go ad free now
The appointment comes amid concerns about the scaling back of American leadership in the alliance.
The US had considered back in March to give up the role of Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR) as reported by NBC. The position of SACEUR has been generally filled by US generals, with Dwight D. Eisenhower being the first to hold the position back in 1951.
Nato diplomats have denounced the possibility of the US relinquishing the post.
Who is Alexus Grykewich?
A graduate from the University of Georgia in Athens, Grykewich has completed the Pinnacle program from the National Defence University in Washington, DC.
Before being appointed as the top commander, he was Director for Operations of J-3, joint staff in the US Air Force.
As the director, he provided strategic guidance to combatant commands and advised the President and secretary of defence regarding current operations and plans.
He had also served as the 9th Air Force (Air Forces Central) at the Shaw Air Force Base in South Carolina. He has also held staff positions at Air combat command, US European command, and US central command, Air Force headquarters and the joint staff.
Grykewich has been awarded the French National Order of Merit and the Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal.
