Lt. Gen. Charles Costanza, commander of the Army’s V Corps, was removed from command in recent days, according to the Army, ending his tenure nearly two months before it was scheduled to conclude. Costanza had led the forward-deployed corps since April 8, 2024.
The Army confirmed Costanza’s removal but did not disclose the circumstances, saying only that the matter was “referred to the appropriate authority in accordance with Army regulations.” A source familiar with the removal told The Hill it involved “conduct that would get a commander relieved at any level,” though the source said the removal was unrelated to politics or Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s broader shake-up of the Pentagon’s senior ranks.
Brig. Gen. John B. Mountford, deputy commanding general of readiness for V Corps, is serving as the acting commanding general. Maj. Gen. Thomas Feltey, who was nominated for promotion to lieutenant general last month, is scheduled to assume command of V Corps at Fort Knox in October. Feltey previously led the 1st Cavalry Division at Fort Hood, Texas, and relinquished that command on August 4.
V Corps, headquartered at Fort Knox, Kentucky, and Camp Kościuszko, Poland, oversees U.S. Army forces and coordinates operations across Europe. The corps has taken on an increasingly prominent role since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, helping coordinate U.S. support for Kyiv and managing the American military footprint along NATO’s eastern flank. Costanza, an armor officer with 33 years of military experience, previously served as deputy commanding general of U.S. Army Europe and Africa and commanded the 3rd Infantry Division at Fort Stewart, Georgia.
Costanza’s removal comes amid broader personnel changes in the Pentagon. Since taking office, Hegseth has removed or sidelined more than two dozen senior military officers, including Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George and Gen. Chris Donahue, commander of U.S. Army Europe and Africa. However, sources told The Hill that Costanza’s case was distinct and not driven by the political considerations that have shaped some of Hegseth’s other moves.
The Pentagon also downsized the U.S. military footprint in Europe earlier this year by canceling a planned deployment of the Army’s 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division to Poland. President Trump later announced the U.S. would send 5,000 troops to Poland to address concerns raised by Warsaw following the brigade’s removal.
Sources
- ABC News — Lt. Gen. Costanza’s removal from V Corps command, timing, and context regarding broader Pentagon shake-up
- The Hill — Details on Costanza’s removal, Feltey’s nomination and scheduled assumption of command, sources describing the removal as unrelated to Hegseth’s political restructuring, and broader Pentagon personnel changes
- Stars and Stripes — Feltey’s nomination for promotion and selection as next V Corps commander
