NATO welcomes new Supreme Allied Commander Europe

Source: NATO

General Alexus G. Grynkewich of the US Air Force assumed command of Allied Command Operations in a ceremony at Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe in Mons, Belgium on Friday (4 July 2025). General Grynkewich succeeds General Chris Cavoli of the US Army, who had been in post since 2022.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte commended General Cavoli for modernising NATO’s collective defence and for his work responding to the ongoing Russian full-scale invasion of Ukraine. He thanked General Cavoli for strengthening NATO’s presence in the Baltic Sea, to deter and defend against threats targeting Allies’ critical undersea infrastructure, as well as for conceiving and establishing NATO’s new command in Germany, which is bolstering support to Ukraine. “You have been an outstanding SACEUR, leading with honour and integrity,” said Mr Rutte. 

The Secretary General welcomed General Grynkewich, noting that he brings a wealth of experience to the post of SACEUR. As a former fighter pilot, General Grynkewich has “a deep understanding of the threats we face from the skies, and across other domains,” said Mr Rutte.  As the latest Director of Operations of the Joint Staff, he also has wide experience of delivering military and security priorities in the face of global challenges. “I know NATO can count on you to serve with the same steadfast resolve as your predecessors,” the Secretary General concluded.

Allied Command Operations is responsible for the planning and execution of all NATO operations. General Grynkewich is the twenty-first Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR). The first to occupy the post was General Dwight D. Eisenhower, subsequently the 34th President of the United States. 

USCENTCOM Commander Conducts Middle East Trip to Visit U.S. Service Members and Strengthen Regional Partnerships

Source: United States Central Command (CENTCOM)

Commander, U.S. Central Command (USCENTCOM) Gen. Michael Erik Kurilla conducted a multi-nation trip through the Middle East and Eastern Mediterranean from June 30 to July 3, to visit the U.S. service members involved in the defense of U.S. forces and interests across the region as well as meet with key regional defense leaders in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, Israel, and Greece.

USS Gabrielle Giffords arrives in Seattle

Source: United States Navy Pacific Fleet 1

SEATTLE – The Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Gabrielle Giffords (LCS 10) departed Naval Base San Diego June 23 and arrived at its new homeport of Seattle June 28, following an 18-month rotational deployment to the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations.

NATO Secretary General to attend change of command ceremony

Source: NATO

On Friday, 4 July 2025, the NATO Secretary General, Mr Mark Rutte, will attend the change of command ceremony for NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR) at Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE), in Mons, Belgium. U.S. Army General Christopher G. Cavoli will relinquish command of Allied Command Operations and Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe to General Alexus G. Grynkewich of the United States Air Force.

The Secretary General will deliver a speech.

Media advisory

11:00 (CEST) Start of Change of Command Ceremony

Media coverage

The ceremony will be streamed live on the NATO website and will be made available to EBU News Exchange.

Still images of the Secretary General’s participation will be available after the event on the NATO website. Video will also be available for free download from the NATO Multimedia Portal.

 

For more information:

For general queries: contact the NATO Press Office

Follow us on X: @NATO, @SecGenNATO and @NATOPress

USS PEARL HARBOR (LSD 52) Sailors perform general quarters drill [Image 1 of 5]

Source: United States Navy (Logistics Group Western Pacific)

Maintenance window scheduled to begin at February 14th 2200 est. until 0400 est. February 15th

USS PEARL HARBOR (LSD 52) Sailors man the rails as the ship departs for Pacific Partnership 2025 [Image 1 of 5]

Source: United States Navy (Logistics Group Western Pacific)

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A Sailor assigned to the Harpers Ferry-class amphibious dock landing ship USS Pearl Harbor (LSD 52) mans the rails as the ship prepares to depart San Diego Naval Base for Pacific Partnership 2025 on June 30, 2025. Now in its 21st iteration, the Pacific Partnership series is the largest annual multinational humanitarian assistance and disaster management preparedness mission conducted in the Indo-Pacific. Pacific Partnership works collaboratively with host and partner nations to enhance regional interoperability and disaster response capabilities, increase security and stability in the region, and foster new and enduring friendships in the Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Kazia Ream)

Date Taken: 12.31.2015
Date Posted: 07.02.2025 23:34
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USS PEARL HARBOR (LSD 52) Sailors man the rails as the ship departs for Pacific Partnership 2025 [Image 2 of 6]

Source: United States Navy (Logistics Group Western Pacific)

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U.S. Navy Sailors man the rails aboard the Harpers Ferry-class amphibious dock landing ship USS Pearl Harbor (LSD 52) on Jun. 30, 2025. Now in its 21st iteration, the Pacific Partnership series is the largest annual multinational humanitarian assistance and disaster management preparedness mission conducted in the Indo-Pacific. Pacific Partnership works collaboratively with host and partner nations to enhance regional interoperability and disaster response capabilities, increase security and stability in the region, and foster new and enduring friendships in the Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Alexander Bussman)

Date Taken: 06.29.2025
Date Posted: 07.02.2025 20:48
Photo ID: 9146180
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USS PEARL HARBOR (LSD 52) Sailors man the rails as the ship departs for Pacific Partnership 2025 [Image 4 of 6]

Source: United States Navy (Logistics Group Western Pacific)

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U.S. Navy Sailors conduct line handling operations aboard the Harpers Ferry-class amphibious dock landing ship USS Pearl Harbor (LSD 52) on Jun. 30, 2025. Now in its 21st iteration, the Pacific Partnership series is the largest annual multinational humanitarian assistance and disaster management preparedness mission conducted in the Indo-Pacific. Pacific Partnership works collaboratively with host and partner nations to enhance regional interoperability and disaster response capabilities, increase security and stability in the region, and foster new and enduring friendships in the Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Alexander Bussman)

Date Taken: 06.29.2025
Date Posted: 07.02.2025 20:48
Photo ID: 9146184
VIRIN: 250630-N-RW505-1349
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USS PEARL HARBOR (LSD 52) Sailors man the rails as the ship departs for Pacific Partnership 2025 [Image 1 of 6]

Source: United States Navy (Logistics Group Western Pacific)

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U.S. Navy Senior Chief Boatswain’s Mate Jesus Hernandez, from Tulare, California, oversees line handling operations aboard the Harpers Ferry-class amphibious dock landing ship USS Pearl Harbor (LSD 52) on Jun. 30, 2025. Now in its 21st iteration, the Pacific Partnership series is the largest annual multinational humanitarian assistance and disaster management preparedness mission conducted in the Indo-Pacific. Pacific Partnership works collaboratively with host and partner nations to enhance regional interoperability and disaster response capabilities, increase security and stability in the region, and foster new and enduring friendships in the Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Alexander Bussman)

Date Taken: 06.29.2025
Date Posted: 07.02.2025 20:48
Photo ID: 9146170
VIRIN: 250630-N-RW505-1334
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