The U.S. Army confirmed Friday that Lt. Gen. Charles Costanza, commander of the Army’s V Corps, was removed from his post in recent days, nearly two months before his scheduled departure. Maj. Gen. Thomas Feltey, previously Senate-confirmed for the role, has assumed command, according to an Army spokesperson.
V Corps, headquartered partially in Poland, oversees U.S. Army forces in Europe and coordinates operations across the continent, including support for Ukraine and NATO’s eastern frontlines. The corps has played a central role in managing the U.S. military presence in Europe since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Costanza’s removal follows a broader purge of senior military leadership under Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, with more than two dozen high-ranking officers removed or sidelined in recent months. A source familiar with Costanza’s case stated his removal was not connected to Hegseth’s broader reshuffling efforts and carried no political implications, though the Army has not provided further details on the decision.
V Corps’ responsibilities include coordinating U.S. support for Ukraine, managing troop deployments along NATO’s eastern flank, and maintaining readiness in Poland, where the corps has been stationed since its reactivation in 2020. The corps has been a key component of the U.S. military’s European deterrence strategy amid ongoing tensions with Russia.
Recent shifts in U.S. military posture in Europe have included the cancellation of a planned deployment of the Army’s 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division from Fort Hood, Texas, to Poland earlier this year. The decision followed President Donald Trump’s announcement of a planned repositioning of 5,000 U.S. troops to Europe, though further details on the troop movements remain unspecified.
The Army has not disclosed the reasons for Costanza’s removal, and no public statements have been issued regarding potential misconduct or performance issues. The abrupt nature of the change has raised questions among observers about the broader implications for U.S. military leadership in Europe, particularly as the region remains a focal point of geopolitical tensions.
V Corps’ role in Europe has expanded since the Ukraine conflict began, with the corps serving as a hub for U.S. military coordination with NATO allies. The corps’ responsibilities include overseeing joint exercises, managing logistics, and ensuring rapid deployment capabilities in response to regional security threats.
The Army’s statement confirmed Feltey’s assumption of command but did not address the timeline for a permanent replacement for Costanza. The removal comes as the Pentagon continues to adjust its European military footprint, with recent reductions in brigade-level deployments and a focus on rotational rather than permanent stationing of forces.
No further details have been provided on the criteria used for Costanza’s removal or the selection process for his successor. The Army has not indicated whether an investigation or review is underway regarding the circumstances of the change in command.