A Polish four-star general will head a NATO joint command for the first time in alliance history.
Polish General to Lead NATO Command
According to Chief of the General Staff of the Polish Armed Forces Gen. Wiesław Kukuła, a Polish officer will head the NATO Joint Force Command Brunssum for the first time in history. The position will be filled by a four-star general, whose name has not yet been disclosed.
According to Gen. Kukuła, this decision is “an important sign of trust in the Polish Armed Forces and our defense efforts.”
Allies Agree on Command Rotation
Under new arrangements, Poland and Germany will rotate leadership of the Joint Force Command Brunssum, while the United Kingdom will take command of the Joint Force Command Norfolk, and Italy will lead the Joint Force Command Naples. “As a result, all three commands that direct operations at the operational level during crises and conflicts will be led by Europeans,” reads the communiqué. Meanwhile, the United States will retain the key role of Supreme Allied Commander in Europe and will also maintain leadership over the Allied Land Command and Allied Air Command.
Historic Milestone for NATO
The new arrangements are part of NATO changes aimed at increasing European allies’ responsibility for security in the region. Allies are seeking “a more equitable distribution of responsibilities,” according to the communiqué. Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone, Chairman of the NATO Military Committee, described the agreement as “a historic milestone for NATO.” The personnel changes will be implemented in the coming years, in accordance with the existing rotation of positions.