Pentagon Abruptly Removes Top US Army General in Europe

The U.S. Army has abruptly dismissed the three-star general directing military operations across Europe.

Lt. Gen. Charles Costanza was relieved of his duties as commander of V Corps just weeks before his scheduled departure in October.

Military officials confirmed the leadership change on Friday, though the precise reasons for the premature exit remain undisclosed.

The dismissal unfolds against the backdrop of a sweeping personnel overhaul at the Pentagon.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has recently sidelined or ousted over two dozen senior military officials, frequently without citing cause.

However, a source with knowledge of the situation indicated that Costanza's departure is detached from Hegseth's broader restructuring campaign.

The individual maintained that the move carried no underlying political motives.

Chain of Command

Brig. Gen. John B. Mountford has temporarily assumed control as acting commanding general. He previously served as the deputy commanding general of readiness for the unit.

The Senate has already confirmed Maj. Gen. Thomas Feltey to permanently succeed Costanza. That transition was originally slated for the autumn.

Costanza, an armor officer whose resume includes leading the 3rd Infantry Division in Georgia, assumed control of V Corps in April 2024.

Shifting European Footprint

V Corps holds a critical position in Washington's European defense architecture. Operating partially out of Poland, the command coordinates American forces along NATO's eastern frontier.

Its strategic weight has expanded significantly following the outbreak of war in Ukraine. The command is heavily involved in managing the logistical pipeline supporting Kyiv.

The leadership disruption arrives during a volatile period for American force posture in the region. The Defense Department has steadily reduced its European presence this year.

Most notably, Washington canceled a planned deployment of a Texas-based armored brigade to Poland.

That reduction drew immediate backlash from Warsaw. The criticism later prompted President Donald Trump to authorize a separate deployment of 5,000 American troops to the country.