Leadership of the United States European Command

Emblem of the United States European Command

This is a list of all commanders, deputy commanders, senior enlisted leaders, and chiefs of staff of the United States European Command.

Current headquarters staff

• Alexus G. Grynkewich , Commander
  • Robert C. Fulford , Deputy Commander
  • Thomas J. Holland , Senior Enlisted Leader
    • John L. Rafferty Jr. , Chief of Staff
      • Gregory L. Holden , Director, Intelligence (J2) ^[1]
      • Daniel T. Lasica , Director, Operations (J3)
      • James G. Kent , Director, Logistics (J4) ^[2]
      • Russell Driggers , Director, Plans, Policy, Strategy, and Capabilities (J5)
        • David Loo , Deputy Director, Plans, Policy, Strategy, and Capabilities. As of 1 July 2025 ^[update]
      • John H. Phillips , Director, Cyber (J6)
      • James R. Kriesel , Director, Exercises and Assessments (ECJ7)
      • Loyd W. Brown , Commandant, Headquarters, (HC)

List of leaders of the United States European Command

Commanders

Commander of the United States European Command
Emblem of the United States European Command
Incumbent General Alexus G. Grynkewich, USAF since 1 July 2025
Abbreviation	CDRUSEUCOM [3]
Reports to	President of the United States Secretary of Defense
Seat	Patch Barracks, Stuttgart, Germany
Appointer	The president with Senate advice and consent
Term length	3 years
Constituting instrument	10 U.S.C.   § 164
Inaugural holder	Matthew Ridgway
Formation	30 May 1952
Deputy	Deputy Commander, U.S. European Command

No.	Commander		Term			Service branch
	Portrait	Name	Took office	Left office	Duration
As Commander-in-Chief (CINC), United States European Command
1		Ridgway, MatthewGeneral Matthew Ridgway (1895–1993)	30 May 1952	11 July 1953	1 year, 42 days	U.S. Army
2		Gruenther, AlfredGeneral Alfred Gruenther (1899–1983)	11 July 1953	20 November 1956	3 years, 132 days	U.S. Army
3		Norstad, LaurisGeneral Lauris Norstad (1907–1988)	20 November 1956	1 November 1962	5 years, 346 days	U.S. Air Force
4		Lemnitzer, LymanGeneral Lyman Lemnitzer (1899–1988)	1 November 1962	1 July 1969	6 years, 242 days	U.S. Army
5		Goodpaster, AndrewGeneral Andrew Goodpaster (1915–2005)	1 July 1969	15 December 1974	5 years, 167 days	U.S. Army
6		Haig, AlexanderGeneral Alexander M. Haig Jr. (1924–2010)	15 December 1974	1 July 1979	4 years, 198 days	U.S. Army
7		Rogers, BernardGeneral Bernard W. Rogers (1921–2008)	1 July 1979	26 June 1987	7 years, 360 days	U.S. Army
8		Galvin, JohnGeneral John Galvin (1929–2015)	26 June 1987	23 June 1992	4 years, 363 days	U.S. Army
9		Shalikashvili, JohnGeneral John Shalikashvili (1936–2011)	23 June 1992	22 October 1993	1 year, 121 days	U.S. Army
10		Joulwan, GeorgeGeneral George Joulwan (born 1939)	22 October 1993	11 July 1997	3 years, 262 days	U.S. Army
11		Clark, WesleyGeneral Wesley Clark (born 1944)	11 July 1997	3 May 2000	2 years, 297 days	U.S. Army
12		Ralston, JosephGeneral Joseph Ralston (born 1943)	3 May 2000	17 January 2003	2 years, 259 days	U.S. Air Force
13		Jones, JamesGeneral James L. Jones (born 1943)	17 January 2003	7 December 2006	3 years, 324 days	U.S. Marine Corps
As Commander, United States European Command
14		Craddock, BantzGeneral Bantz J. Craddock (born 1949)	7 December 2006	2 July 2009	2 years, 207 days	U.S. Army
15		Stavridis, JamesAdmiral James G. Stavridis (born 1955)	2 July 2009	13 May 2013	3 years, 315 days	U.S. Navy
16		Breedlove, PhilipGeneral Philip M. Breedlove (born 1955)	13 May 2013	4 May 2016	2 years, 357 days	U.S. Air Force
17		Scaparrotti, CurtisGeneral Curtis M. Scaparrotti (born 1956)	4 May 2016	3 May 2019	2 years, 364 days	U.S. Army
18		Wolters, Tod D.General Tod D. Wolters (born 1960)	3 May 2019	1 July 2022	3 years, 59 days	U.S. Air Force
19		Cavoli, Christopher G.General Christopher G. Cavoli (born c. 1964)	1 July 2022	1 July 2025	3 years, 0 days	U.S. Army
20		Grynkewich, Alexus G.General Alexus G. Grynkewich (born 1971)	1 July 2025	Incumbent	77 days	U.S. Air Force

Commanders of U.S. European Command by branches of service

• Army: 13
• Air Force: 5
• Navy: 1
• Marine Corps: 1
• Space Force: none
• Coast Guard: none

Deputy commanders

No.	Deputy Commander [4]		Term			Service branch
	Portrait	Name	Took office	Left office	Duration
As Deputy Commander-in-Chief (DCINC), United States European Command
1		Handy, Thomas T.General Thomas T. Handy (1892–1982)	1 August 1952	1 April 1954	1 year, 243 days	U.S. Army
2		Cook, Orval R.General Orval R. Cook (1898–1980)	1 April 1954	1 June 1956	2 years, 61 days	U.S. Air Force
3		Decker, George H.General George H. Decker (1902–1980)	1 June 1956	1 June 1957	1 year, 0 days	U.S. Army
4		Palmer, Williston B.General Williston B. Palmer (1899–1973)	1 June 1957	1 October 1959	2 years, 122 days	U.S. Army
5		Palmer, Charles D.General Charles D. Palmer (1902–1999)	1 October 1959	1 March 1962	2 years, 151 days	U.S. Army
6		Wheeler, EarleGeneral Earle Wheeler (1908–1975)	1 March 1962	2 October 1962	215 days	U.S. Army
7		McConnell, John P.General John P. McConnell (1908–1986)	2 October 1962	1 August 1964	1 year, 304 days	U.S. Air Force
8		Smart, Jacob E.General Jacob E. Smart (1909–2006)	1 August 1964	28 July 1966	1 year, 361 days	U.S. Air Force
9		Burchinal, David A.General David A. Burchinal (1915–1990)	28 July 1966	19 April 1973	6 years, 265 days	U.S. Air Force
10		Eade, George J.General George J. Eade (1921–2018)	19 April 1973	1 September 1975	2 years, 135 days	U.S. Air Force
11		Huyser, Robert E.General Robert E. Huyser (1924–1997)	1 September 1975	17 June 1979	3 years, 289 days	U.S. Air Force
12		Allen, James R.General James R. Allen (1925–1992)	17 June 1979	25 June 1981	2 years, 8 days	U.S. Air Force
13		Smith, William Y.General William Y. Smith (1925–2016)	25 June 1981	28 July 1983	2 years, 33 days	U.S. Air Force
14		Lawson, Richard L.General Richard L. Lawson (1929–2020)	28 July 1983	20 November 1986	3 years, 115 days	U.S. Air Force
15		Richards, Thomas C.General Thomas C. Richards (1930–2020)	20 November 1986	September 1989	~2 years, 285 days	U.S. Air Force
16		McCarthy, James P.General James P. McCarthy (born 1935)	September 1989	October 1992	~3 years, 30 days	U.S. Air Force
17		Boyd, Charles G.General Charles G. Boyd (1938–2022)	October 1992 [5]	July 1995	~2 years, 290 days	U.S. Air Force
18		Jamerson, James L.General James L. Jamerson (born 1941)	18 July 1995	13 July 1998	2 years, 360 days	U.S. Air Force
19		Abbot, Charles S.Admiral Charles S. Abbot (born 1945)	13 July 1998	2 August 2000	2 years, 20 days	U.S. Navy
20		Fulford, Carlton W. Jr.General Carlton W. Fulford Jr. (born 1944)	2 August 2000	2 December 2002	2 years, 122 days	U.S. Marine Corps
As Deputy Commander, United States European Command [6]
21		Wald, Charles F.General Charles F. Wald (born 1948)	2 December 2002	3 May 2006	3 years, 152 days	U.S. Air Force
22		Ward, William E.General William E. Ward (born 1949)	3 May 2006	1 October 2007	1 year, 151 days	U.S. Army
23		Gallagher, Richard K.Vice Admiral Richard K. Gallagher (born 1952)	1 October 2007	2009	~1 year, 92 days	U.S. Navy
24		Gardner, John D.Lieutenant General John D. Gardner	2009	2 April 2012 [7]	~3 years, 92 days	U.S. Army
25		Martoglio, Charles W.Vice Admiral Charles W. Martoglio (born 1956)	~2 April 2012	17 July 2014	~2 years, 106 days	U.S. Navy
26		Garrett, William B. IIILieutenant General William B. Garrett III	17 July 2014 [8]	November 2016	~2 years, 107 days	U.S. Army
27		Ray, Timothy M.Lieutenant General Timothy M. Ray	November 2016	August 2018	~1 year, 273 days	U.S. Air Force
28		Twitty, Stephen M.Lieutenant General Stephen M. Twitty (born 1963)	August 2018	July 2020	~1 year, 335 days	U.S. Army
29		Howard, Michael L.Lieutenant General Michael L. Howard	21 July 2020	~2 August 2022	2 years, 12 days	U.S. Army
30		Basham, Steven L.Lieutenant General Steven L. Basham	~2 August 2022	15 July 2024	1 year, 348 days	U.S. Air Force
30		Fulford, Robert C.Lieutenant General Robert C. Fulford	December 2024	Incumbent	~289 days	U.S. Marine Corps

Senior enlisted leaders

No.	Senior Enlisted Leader [9]		Term			Service branch
	Portrait	Name	Took office	Left office	Duration
1		Walthes, James E.Command Sergeant Major James E. Walthes	1 December 1996	1 November 1998	1 year, 335 days	U.S. Army
2		Young, Richard A.Command Sergeant Major Richard A. Young	1 March 2000	15 May 2001	1 year, 75 days	U.S. Army
3		Kiniery, Phillip J. Jr.Command Sergeant Major Phillip J. Kiniery Jr.	15 May 2001	1 March 2002	290 days	U.S. Army
4		Mersino, John M.Sergeant Major John M. Mersino	29 March 2002	8 February 2005	2 years, 316 days	U.S. Marine Corps
5		Bartelle, MichaelCommand Sergeant Major Michael Bartelle	8 February 2005	25 September 2006	1 year, 229 days	U.S. Army
6		Farley, Mark L.Command Sergeant Major Mark L. Farley	25 September 2006	8 May 2009	2 years, 225 days	U.S. Army
7		Maddocks, Roy M. Jr.Fleet Master Chief Roy M. Maddocks Jr.	8 May 2009 [10]	14 August 2013	4 years, 98 days	U.S. Navy
8		Adams, Craig A.Chief Master Sergeant Craig A. Adams	14 August 2013	15 September 2015 [11]	2 years, 32 days	U.S. Air Force
–		Davis, James E.Chief Master Sergeant James E. Davis Acting [12]	15 September 2015	May 2016	~229 days	U.S. Air Force
9		Addington, Crispian D.Fleet Master Chief Crispian D. Addington	May 2016	2 August 2019	~3 years, 93 days	U.S. Navy
10		Easton, Phillip L.Chief Master Sergeant Phillip L. Easton	2 August 2019	7 June 2022	2 years, 309 days	U.S. Air Force
11		Abernethy, Robert V.Command Sergeant Major Robert V. Abernethy	7 June 2022 [13]	17 June 2025	3 years, 10 days	U.S. Army
12		Holland, Thomas J.Command Sergeant Major Thomas J. Holland	17 June 2025	Incumbent	91 days	U.S. Army

Chiefs of staff

No.	Chief of Staff [14]		Term			Service branch
	Portrait	Name	Took office	Left office	Duration
–		Brown, Frederic J.Brigadier General Frederic J. Brown (1905–1971) Acting	1 August 1952	25 August 1952	24 days	U.S. Army
1		Taylor, Robert KinderMajor General Robert Kinder Taylor (1902–1976)	25 August 1952	June 1953	~280 days	U.S. Air Force
2		Spry, James W.Major General James W. Spry (1900–1983)	23 August 1953	June 1954	~282 days	U.S. Air Force
3		Palmer, Charles D.Major General Charles D. Palmer (1902–1999)	7 July 1954	21 September 1955	1 year, 76 days	U.S. Army
4		Honnen, GeorgeMajor General George Honnen (1897–1974)	21 September 1955	March 1957	~1 year, 161 days	U.S. Army
5		Barcus, Glenn O.Lieutenant General Glenn O. Barcus (1903–1990)	1 April 1957	1 July 1960	3 years, 91 days	U.S. Air Force
6		Underhill, Edward A.Lieutenant General Edward H. Underhill (1907–1983)	1 July 1960	1 June 1963	2 years, 335 days	U.S. Air Force
7		Vittrup, Russell L.Lieutenant General Russell L. Vittrup (1906–1992)	1 June 1963	1 June 1965	2 years, 0 days	U.S. Army
8		Bowen, John W.Lieutenant General John W. Bowen	1 June 1965	26 July 1968	3 years, 55 days	U.S. Army
9		Tyree, John A. Jr.Vice Admiral John A. Tyree Jr. (1911–2004)	26 July 1968	December 1969	~1 year, 128 days	U.S. Navy
10		Surles, Alexander D. Jr.Lieutenant General Alexander D. Surles Jr. (1916–1995)	1 January 1970	July 1971	~1 year, 181 days	U.S. Army
11		Sutherland, James W. Jr.Lieutenant General James W. Sutherland Jr. (1918–1987)	2 July 1971	July 1974	~2 years, 364 days	U.S. Army
12		Knowlton, William A.Lieutenant General William A. Knowlton (1920–2018)	6 August 1974	May 1976	~1 year, 269 days	U.S. Army
13		Heiser, Rolland V.Lieutenant General Rolland V. Heiser (1925–2016)	15 September 1976	31 October 1978	2 years, 46 days	U.S. Army
14		McAlister, Robert C.Lieutenant General Robert C. McAlister (1923–2008)	31 October 1978	1 August 1980	1 year, 275 days	U.S. Army
15		Haldane, RobertLieutenant General Robert Haldane (1924–2008)	1 August 1980	July 1982	~1 year, 334 days	U.S. Army
16		Stone, Howard F.Lieutenant General Howard F. Stone (born 1931)	August 1982	June 1985	~2 years, 304 days	U.S. Army
17		Crowell, Howard G. Jr.Lieutenant General Howard G. Crowell Jr. (born 1932)	June 1985	~20 July 1988	~3 years, 49 days	U.S. Army
18		Leland, Edwin S. Jr.Lieutenant General Edwin S. Leland Jr.	20 July 1988	1 July 1991	2 years, 346 days	U.S. Army
19		Chelberg, Robert D.Lieutenant General Robert D. Chelberg	1 July 1991	4 June 1993	1 year, 338 days	U.S. Army
20		Keller, Richard F.Lieutenant General Richard F. Keller	4 June 1993	1 December 1996	3 years, 180 days	U.S. Army
21		Benton, David L. IIILieutenant General David L. Benton III	1 December 1996	1 November 1998	1 year, 335 days	U.S. Army
22		Canavan, Michael A.Lieutenant General Michael Canavan	1 November 1998	2 November 2000	2 years, 1 day	U.S. Army
23		Petrosky, Daniel J.Lieutenant General Daniel J. Petrosky	2 November 2000	4 November 2002	2 years, 2 days	U.S. Army
24		Sylvester, John B.Lieutenant General John B. Sylvester (born 1946)	4 November 2002	2 August 2004	1 year, 272 days	U.S. Army
25		Broadwater, Colby M. IIILieutenant General Colby M. Broadwater III	3 August 2004	3 May 2006	1 year, 273 days	U.S. Army
26		Catto, William D.Major General William D. Catto	5 July 2006 [15]	~July 2008	~1 year, 362 days	U.S. Marine Corps
27		Keen, P. K.Major General Ken Keen	July 2008	~June 2010	~1 year, 335 days	U.S. Army
28		Martoglio, Charles W.Rear Admiral Charles W. Martoglio (born 1956)	~June 2010	April 2012	~1 year, 305 days	U.S. Navy
29		Barrett, Mark A.Major General Mark A. Barrett	April 2012	February 2014	~1 year, 306 days	U.S. Air Force
30		Christenson, John N.Rear Admiral John N. Christenson (born 1958)	February 2014	August 2015	~1 year, 181 days	U.S. Navy
31		Smith, John W. Jr.Rear Admiral John W. Smith Jr.	August 2015	June 2018	~2 years, 304 days	U.S. Navy
32		Piercey, Patrick A.Rear Admiral Patrick A. Piercey	June 2018	August 2020	~2 years, 61 days	U.S. Navy
33		Julazadeh, David J.Major General David J. Julazadeh	August 2020	July 2021	~304 days	U.S. Air Force
34		Lamontagne, John D.Major General John D. Lamontagne	July 2021	June 2022	~364 days	U.S. Air Force
35		Spain, Adrian L.Major General Adrian L. Spain	July 2022	24 July 2023	~1 year, 23 days	U.S. Air Force
36		Andrysiak, PeterMajor General Peter B. Andrysiak Jr.	24 July 2023	30 June 2025	1 year, 341 days	U.S. Army
37		Andrysiak, PeterMajor General John L. Rafferty Jr.	30 July 2025	Incumbent	48 days	U.S. Army

See also

• Leadership of the United States Africa Command
• Leadership of the United States Northern Command
• Leadership of the United States Space Command

References

1. "Brigadier General Gregory L. Holden - General Officer Management Office".
2. "Brigadier General James G. Kent - General Officer Management Office".
3. "DOD Dictionary of Military and Associated Terms, January 2021" (PDF). jcs.mil. Archived from the original (PDF) on 18 February 2020. Retrieved 15 May 2021.
4. "List of Previous Deputy Commanders". 13 January 2009. Archived from the original on 13 January 2009.
5. "GENERAL CHARLES G. BOYD". www.af.mil.
6. since 24 October 2002
7. "U.S. Navy Adm. James G. Stavridis, commander of U.S. European Command and NATO supreme allied commander, Europe, presents the certificate of retirement to U.S. Army Lt. Gen. John D. Gardner during a ceremony in Patch Barracks in Stuttgart, Germany, April 2, 2012. Gardner, the former deputy commander U.S. European Command, retired after 36 years of service in the Army". www.defense.gov.
8. "New EUCOM deputy on the job". Stars and Stripes.
9. "List of Senior Enlisted Leaders". 1 November 2006. Archived from the original on 1 November 2006.
10. "Sailor becomes top NCO at EUCOM". Stars and Stripes.
11. "EUCOM enlisted leader relieved for loss of confidence". Stars and Stripes.
12. "New EUCOM top enlisted leader comes from 7th Fleet". Stars and Stripes.
13. "US European Command Welcomes New Senior Enlisted Leader". U.S. European Command . U.S. European Command Public Affairs. 7 June 2022. Retrieved 8 June 2022.
14. "List of Previous Chiefs of Staff". 13 January 2009. Archived from the original on 13 January 2009.
15. "Catto is first Marine to serve as EUCOM chief of staff". Stars and Stripes.