The top Republicans on the Senate and House Armed Services committees said Wednesday night they are “very concerned” about reports the Pentagon is weighing major changes to the military’s combatant command structure.
Sen. Roger F. Wicker of Mississippi and Rep. Mike Rogers of Alabama said they “will not accept significant changes to our warfighting structure” made without input from Congress.
The strong comments come amid reports that the Defense Department is considering significant changes to U.S. European Command, including giving up the traditional role of a U.S. general serving as NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander.
Other changes reportedly could see U.S. European Command and U.S. Africa Command combined into one command as part of a broader cost-cutting effort across the Pentagon.
Mr. Wicker and Mr. Rogers said they won’t back such changes made unilaterally.
“U.S. combatant commands are the tip of the American warfighting spear. Therefore, we are very concerned about reports that claim DoD is considering unilateral changes on major strategic issues, including significant reductions to U.S. forces stationed abroad, absent coordination with the White House and Congress,” the lawmakers said in a joint statement.
“We support President Trump’s efforts to ensure our allies and partners increase their contributions to strengthen our alliance structure, and we support continuing America’s leadership abroad,” they said. “As such, we will not accept significant changes to our warfighting structure that are made without a rigorous interagency process, coordination with combatant commanders and the Joint Staff, and collaboration with Congress. Such moves risk undermining American deterrence around the globe and detracting from our negotiating positions with America’s adversaries.”
The Defense Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
NBC News first reported the possible changes to U.S. European Command and the possibility that an American general may no longer be NATO’s supreme commander, citing two defense officials and a Pentagon briefing reviewed by the news outlet. The job of NATO Supreme Allied Commander is currently held by U.S. Gen. General Christopher G. Cavoli.
The Trump administration is seeking to cut costs and reduce the size of the workforce across the Defense Department. Combining or restructuring combatant commands could save significant amounts of money.
The U.S. military has 11 combatant commands: Africa Command; Central Command; Cyber Command; European Command; Indo-Pacific Command; Northern Command; Southern Command; Space Command; Special Operations Command; Strategic Command; and Transportation Command.
