U.S. Air Force Gen. Tod Wolters was nominated to be the next commander of U.S. European Command and Supreme Allied Commander at NATO, the Pentagon announced on Friday.
NATO has also agreed to Wolters’ promotion, according to a Department of Defense announcement.
Wolters will replace U.S. Army Gen. Curtis Scaparrotti, who since 2016 has been the commander of EUCOM and NATO supreme commander. A change of command ceremony is expected to occur this spring at the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe in Mons, Belgium, according to a NATO statement.
Wolters, a 1982 graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy, is currently the commander of U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Africa and the Allied Air Command headquartered at Ramstein Air Base, Germany.
During his career, Wolters has more than 5,000 flight hours and has flown a variety of aircraft including the F-15C Eagle, F-22 Raptor, OV-10 Bronco twin-turboprop, T-38 Talon trainer jet and A-10 Warthog, according to his Air Force biography. At the Air Force Academy, Wolters played cornerback, running back and linebacker for the Falcons football team, according to the Air Force Academy athletic department.
The following is the complete DoD statement announcing Wolter’s pending promotion
General Officer Announcement
Acting Secretary of Defense Patrick M. Shanahan announced today that the president made the following nomination:
U.S. Air Force Gen. Tod D. Wolters for appointment to the grade of general while serving as Supreme Allied Commander, Europe. NATO has also agreed to appoint Gen. Wolters as Supreme Allied Commander, Europe. Gen. Wolters is currently serving as commander, U.S. Air Forces Europe; commander, U.S. Air Forces Africa; commander, Allied Air Command; and director, Joint Air Power Competence Centre. In addition to the NATO position, Gen. Wolters will be assigned as commander, U.S. European Command.
