Pentagon announces pick for NATO's next Supreme Allied Commander

PHOTO CAPTION: Illustrative photo — Lt. Gen. Alexus Grynkewich, USAFCENT commander, is seen while meeting with Kuwait Armed Forces leadership. (U.S. Air Force photo)

WASHINGTON  -  President Donald Trump's administration announced on Thursday its nomination for the next top U.S. general in Europe and said the U.S. military officer would also assume the traditional role of Supreme Allied Commander Europe. 

Trump's decision to nominate U.S. Air Force Lieutenant General Alexus Grynkewich to both roles, which was first reported by Reuters, will relieve European NATO allies and even some of Trump's fellow Republicans amid concerns about a retrenchment in American military leadership of NATO.

Grynkewich must be confirmed by the U.S. Senate.

 (Reporting by Phil Stewart, Idrees Ali and Lili Bayer; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama // REUTERS)