The Pentagon has downgraded the rank of the Air Force’s top commander in Europe to a three-star general.

President Donald Trump on Monday nominated Lt. Gen. Jason Hinds to be the next commander of U.S. Air Forces in Europe-Air Forces Africa. But unlike every other permanent USAFE commander since the late 1950s, Hinds’ new assignment will not come with a promotion to four-star general.

A Department of the Air Force spokesperson said the change was made in response to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s order to cut the numbers of general officers throughout the military.

“In alignment with the Department of War directive to reduce general and flag officer positions, the nominee for the United States Air Forces in Europe-Air Forces Africa commander is at the lieutenant general grade,” the

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