US Army General Christopher Cavoli became the Supreme Allied Commander in Europe.

This was reported by the U.S. European Command.

“It has been my privilege to stand in your ranks for the last 4.5 years, and I am thankful that I will have the opportunity to continue to do so. Together we will move into a bright future,” he said during the appointment ceremony, which took place on July 1.

He previously served as the Commanding General of US Army Europe and Africa from October 2020 to June 2022. Before that, he served as the Commanding General of the US Army in Europe from January 2018 to September 2020.

“It has been my privilege to stand in your ranks for the last 4.5 years, and I am thankful that I will have the opportunity to continue to do so. Together we will move into a bright future.” – Gen. Christopher G. Cavoli, @US_EUCOM commander#StrongerTogether #StrongEurope pic.twitter.com/kHzqPtl0zg

— U.S. European Command (@US_EUCOM) July 1, 2022

Cavoli served in the war in Afghanistan and commanded a brigade of the 1st Armored Division, the 7th Army Training Command and the 25th Infantry Division.

The day before, US president Joe Biden announced an increase in the number of US military forces on the territory of the EU against the backdrop of threats on NATO’s eastern flank.

A permanent U.S. Army headquarters in Poland would be accompanied by a field support battalion — the first permanent U.S. contingent on NATO’s eastern flank.

In addition, Joe Biden said Washington would also work with Spain to raise the number of U.S. destroyers in Rota, Spain to six from four.

Washington will also position a rotational Brigade Combat Team (BCT) in Romania that will add “3,000 fighters and another 2,000 personnel”.

In Baltic states, the U.S. military will enhance its rotational deployments, which include armored, aviation, air defense, and special operations forces.

Two additional squadrons of advanced F-35 fighter jets will be sent to Britain.

The Pentagon will also add 625 personnel in Germany to oversee and carry out air defense artillery operations, combat sustainment support and engineering missions.

A short-range air defense battery will be stationed in Italy, adding 65 personnel.

As previously reported, at Madrid NATO summit member states voted for Alliance’s Strategic Concept recognizing Russia as the most direct threat to the Allied security.

They also have formally invited Finland and Sweden to join the Alliance.