The U.S. Army removed the commander of the corps involved in coordinating support for Ukraine

The U.S. Army relieved Lieutenant General Charles Constanza, who headed the U.S. Army’s V Corps, responsible for a significant portion of American ground forces in Europe, from command. The Hill reports this, citing two U.S. officials, according to UNN.

Details

Constanza was dismissed from his post in recent days, although his term was not due to end for approximately another two months.

As ABC News points out, V Corps is responsible for commanding U.S. Army forces and coordinating operations across Europe. Partially based in Poland, the corps, as noted, has played an increasingly prominent role since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, helping coordinate U.S. support for Ukraine and managing the American military presence along NATO’s front line.

The U.S. Army, The Hill notes, confirmed the general’s removal. It said the situation had been referred to the "appropriate authority" in accordance with military regulations.

Brigadier General John B. Mountford, who previously served as the corps’ deputy commander for readiness, will temporarily perform the duties of commander of V Corps.

Major General Thomas Felty, who was nominated for promotion to lieutenant general last month, is expected to take command of V Corps in October.

Removal not linked to politics

Constanza’s sudden dismissal came amid extensive personnel changes in the senior leadership of the U.S. armed forces. In recent times, more than two dozen senior military officers have been dismissed or relieved of their duties.

They include U.S. Army Chief of Staff General Randy George and the commander of U.S. Army Europe and Africa, General Chris Donahue.

However, The Hill’s sources emphasize that the situation involving Constanza was not political in nature and was not initiated by U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.

According to one of the publication’s sources, the matter involved conduct that could have served as grounds for removing a commander at any level.

Another source, a former defense official, said that the general had problems with alcohol.

V Corps plays an important role in Europe

Constanza headed the U.S. Army’s V Corps, whose headquarters is located at Fort Knox in Kentucky, with its forward headquarters in the Polish city of Poznań at Camp Kościuszko.

The corps is one of the key elements of the U.S. military presence on NATO’s eastern flank.

The changes in command are taking place amid discussions about the U.S. military presence in Poland. In May, the Pentagon canceled the planned deployment to Poland of the U.S. 2nd Armored Brigade of the 1st Cavalry Division.

Later, President Donald Trump said that the United States would send 5,000 service members to Poland.

In June, Polish Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz said that the return of U.S. troops to the country would take place in the coming weeks.

However, at the end of July, Congressman Don Bacon, who serves on the House Armed Services Committee, reported that the U.S. Army brigade had still not arrived in Poland.

Thus, the change in command of V Corps is taking place during a period of a review of the U.S. military presence in Europe, although there is currently no evidence linking Constanza’s removal to these strategic decisions.

Pentagon has begun a review of the US military presence in Europe28.07.26, 16:45 • 3905 views