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U.S. Army relieves V Corps commander Lt. Gen. Charles Costanza
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The U.S. Army has relieved Lt. Gen. Charles Costanza from command of V Corps, one of its main units in Europe, with less than two months remaining in his tenure. The Army confirmed the firing but did not specify reasons, stating the matter has been referred to appropriate authorities. Brig. Gen. John Mountford is serving as interim commanding general. Costanza took command in April 2024 and has a background including leadership of the 3rd Infantry Division and deployments in Iraq and Syria. The removal is part of a series of recent shakeups in U.S. Army Europe, including the cancellation of troop deployments to Poland and the early departure of Gen. Christopher Donahue from U.S. Army Europe and Africa. The Pentagon has also initiated a review of American force posture in Europe, which could affect troop presence on the continent.
Source report
Lt. Gen. Charles Costanza, head of V Corps, relieved with less than two months remaining in his tenure.
One of the U.S. Army's top generals in Europe has been removed from his command. Lt. Gen. Charles Costanza, commanding general of V Corps, was relieved from his post, the Army confirmed to Task & Purpose.
V Corps is one of the Army's primary units in Europe, working closely with NATO allies and coordinating with U.S. forces rotated in as part of Operation Atlantic Resolve.
Official Statement
"Lt. Gen. Charles D. Costanza, commanding general, V Corps, was removed from command," an Army spokesperson said in a statement. "The matter has been referred to the appropriate authority in accordance with Army regulations."
The statement did not provide further details on the reason for Costanza's removal after more than two years in the role.
Interim Leadership
The Army announced that Brig. Gen. John Mountford, currently serving as deputy commanding general of readiness for V Corps, has been appointed interim commanding general.
Successor Named
Last month, the Department of Defense named Maj. Gen. Thomas Feltey as the nominee to lead V Corps. Feltey, who relinquished command of the 1st Cavalry Division on August 4, is scheduled to replace Costanza in October.
Costanza's Background
Costanza took command of V Corps in April 2024. He commissioned in the Army as an armor officer and has deployed in support of:
- Operation Iraqi Freedom
- Operation Inherent Resolve
He has an extensive history of leadership roles, including commanding the 3rd Infantry Division from 2021 to 2023.
About V Corps
V Corps was reactivated in 2020 to bolster the U.S. military presence in Europe. It is headquartered in Fort Knox, Kentucky, with its forward deployment hub at Camp Kościuszko, Poland, which is home to U.S. Army Garrison, Poland.
Recent Shakeups in Europe
Costanza's removal is the latest in a series of changes affecting the Army in Europe:
- May: The Pentagon canceled two major troop deployments to Europe following diplomatic disputes with some heads of state, including a planned rotation of 4,000 soldiers to Poland. After public outcry, President Donald Trump announced that 5,000 troops would be sent to Poland. In July, the Polish defense minister stated that rotations would resume "in the coming weeks."
- June: Gen. Christopher Donahue relinquished command roughly halfway through his tenure as head of U.S. Army Europe and Africa.
- Last month: The Pentagon announced the nomination of Army Lt. Gen. Kevin Admiral to replace Donahue.
Ongoing Review
The Pentagon recently initiated a review of American force posture in Europe, which could determine future troop presence on the continent.
Source
Task & PurposeWestern
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U.S. Army Relieves Lt. Gen. Charles Costanza from V Corps Command in Europe