The helm of US European Command changed hands Monday from Marine Corps Gen. James Jones to Army Gen. John Craddock in a ceremony at Patch Barracks in Stuttgart, Germany. On Thursday, there’ll be a repeat performance when Craddock assumes the mantle of Supreme Allied Commander, Europe, in a ceremony in Mons, Belgium. Craddock, who previously served as head of US Southern Command, has spent 13 years in European assignments during his career.
The Pentagon’s fiscal 2026 defense budget, submitted to Congress last week, accelerates the downsizing of the U.S. Air Force. It proposes divesting 340 aircraft, while only acquiring 76. These cuts risk the Air Force’s ability prevail. “Peace through strength” has...