Overview
- The Army confirmed late Friday that Lt. Gen. Charles Costanza was removed from command of V Corps and that Brig. Gen. John B. Mountford is serving as acting commander.
- Officials declined to disclose the reason for Costanza’s relief and said the matter has been referred to the appropriate authority under Army regulations.
- Costanza had led V Corps since April 2024 and was relieved roughly two months before a planned October change of command to a previously nominated successor, Maj. Gen. Thomas Feltey.
- Reporting notes this action comes during Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s wider reshuffle of senior officers and the Pentagon’s ongoing review of U.S. force posture in Europe, developments that could affect troop rotations and allied coordination.
- V Corps is the Army’s forward headquarters in Poland that helps coordinate U.S. and NATO operations and support for Ukraine, so the abrupt leadership change could disrupt command continuity for forces on NATO’s eastern flank.