Charles costanza: The U.S. Army has abruptly removed Lt. Gen. Charles Costanza from command of V Corps, one of the military’s key formations responsible for overseeing American operations in Europe.
The Army confirmed the change Friday, saying Costanza had been removed from his post in recent days. His departure came nearly two months earlier than the end of his expected tenure, but officials have not publicly explained why the three-star general was relieved of command.
Sudden Change at V Corps
Costanza had commanded V Corps since April 2024. An armor officer, he previously served as commander of the 3rd Infantry Division at Fort Stewart, Georgia.
The Army has appointed Brig. Gen. John B. Mountford, the corps’ deputy commanding general for readiness, as acting commander.
Maj. Gen. Thomas Feltey had already been selected and confirmed by the Senate to succeed Costanza, with the leadership transition originally scheduled for October.
The early removal therefore represents an unexpected change in the timeline for the command.
Role in European Security
V Corps plays an important role in the U.S. military presence in Europe. Its responsibilities include coordinating Army operations across the continent and supporting American forces operating alongside NATO allies.
The corps has become particularly important since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, helping coordinate U.S. support for Kyiv and managing elements of the American military presence along NATO’s eastern flank.
The command has also been partially based in Poland, placing it close to one of the alliance’s most strategically important areas.
Comes During Broader Military Shake-Up
Costanza’s removal comes at a time of significant change among the Pentagon’s senior leadership.
More than two dozen high-ranking military officers have been removed or sidelined during Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s tenure, frequently without detailed public explanations.
However, a person familiar with Costanza’s removal told ABC News that his case was separate from Hegseth’s broader effort to reshape the military’s senior ranks. The source also said the decision was not related to political considerations.
The lack of a public explanation has nevertheless drawn attention to the unusual timing of the decision.
Changes to the U.S. Presence in Europe
The leadership change comes as the Pentagon has also been adjusting the size and structure of U.S. forces in Europe.
Earlier this year, the Army abruptly canceled a planned deployment of the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, from Fort Hood, Texas, to Poland. The decision generated concern in Warsaw and prompted President Donald Trump to later announce plans to position 5,000 U.S. troops in Poland.
Those developments have added to questions about the future shape of the American military footprint on NATO’s eastern flank.
Costanza’s Record
Costanza took command of V Corps in April 2024 after previously leading the 3rd Infantry Division.
His tenure included a period of heightened focus on European security as the war in Ukraine continued and NATO strengthened its eastern defenses.
The Army has not announced that Costanza is retiring or leaving military service as a result of the decision. For now, Mountford will serve as acting commander while the planned leadership transition involving Feltey moves forward.
The abrupt nature of Costanza’s departure, coupled with the absence of a public explanation, is likely to keep attention focused on the Army’s senior leadership changes.
For V Corps, the immediate priority will be maintaining continuity as the organization continues its mission across Europe and supports U.S. and NATO objectives along the alliance’s eastern frontier.
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