US general in Korea nominated as next NATO supreme commander

BRUSSELS (AP) – NATO’s chief decision-making body says it has approved the nomination of the U.S. Army general currently in charge of American forces in Korea to become the next supreme allied commander Europe, or SACEUR.

The North Atlantic Council said Friday that subject to congressional approval, Gen. Curtis M. Scaparrotti is expected to succeed U.S. Air Force Gen. Philip Breedlove this spring as leader of all NATO military operations. By tradition, the SACEUR is an American, and also serves as head of the U.S. European Command.

NATO said Scaparrotti is currently serving as commander, United Nations Command, Combined Forces Command, United States Forces Korea.

Breedlove has been SACEUR since May 13, 2013. NATO said a change of command ceremony is planned at Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) outside Mons, Belgium.