Change of Command Expected in Spring
NATO announced on 15 March that the North Atlantic Council has nominated Gen Tod D Wolters, US Air Force (USAF), for the post of Supreme Allied Commander Europe. Gen Wolters currently serves as Commander USAF Europe; Commander, USAF Africa; Commander, Allied Air Command; and Director, Joint Air Power Competence Centre (JAPCC).
On completion of national confirmation processes, he will succeed Gen Curtis M Scaparrotti, US Army, at a change of command ceremony at Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe near Mons, Belgium, expected in the spring. Gen Scaparrotti assumed the SACEUR role on 4 May 2016.
SACEUR is one of NATO’s two strategic commanders. He heads Allied Command Operations and, as such, is responsible to the Military Committee for the conduct of all NATO operations. He is traditionally a US officer, dual-hatted as Commander of US European Command.
Gen Wolters graduated from the USAF Academy in 1982 and has commanded a fighter squadron, an operations group, three wings, the Air and Space Expeditionary Task Force-Afghanistan and a component numbered Air Force. He fought in operations Desert Storm, Southern Watch, Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. During a varied career, the general has served as Director for Operations at the Joint Staff in Washington, DC. Gen Wolters is a command pilot with over 5,000 flying hours.