The U.S. Army has relieved Lt. Gen. Charles Costanza from his role as commander of V Corps, the service's forward-deployed corps in Europe, according to two U.S. officials who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss internal personnel matters. The move came just weeks before Costanza was slated to step down, with Maj. Gen. Thomas Feltey expected to assume command in October.
Army officials confirmed the removal on Friday, stating that the matter had been "referred to the appropriate authority in accordance with Army regulations." Brig. Gen. John B. Mountford, who served as the deputy commanding general for readiness, has been tapped as acting commander in the interim.
The ouster is not linked to the broader political purges that have swept through the Pentagon under Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, according to two sources familiar with the situation. Instead, they described the action as stemming from "conduct that would get a commander relieved at any level."
Costanza, who previously led the 3rd Infantry Division and served as deputy commanding general of U.S. Army Europe-Africa, had been in charge of V Corps since its reactivation in 2022. His removal comes as the Pentagon has seen a wave of senior military leaders dismissed or sidelined, including Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George and Gen. Chris Donahue, commander of U.S. Army Europe and Africa.
The timing of Costanza's departure coincides with ongoing questions about U.S. troop deployments to Poland. In May, the Pentagon scrapped plans to send the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, to Poland, a move that drew criticism from lawmakers. President Trump later announced that 5,000 troops would be sent to Poland, but Polish Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz said in June that the deployment would occur in the "coming weeks."
As of late July, Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.), a member of the House Armed Services Committee, told The Hill that the brigade had not yet arrived. "They're sitting down," Bacon said. "They're trying to wait them out or something. I don't know what they're doing."
The removal of Costanza adds to the turbulence within the Army's European command structure, which has seen significant turnover under the current administration. The Army has not disclosed the specific reasons for Costanza's relief, but the reference to "appropriate authority" suggests a formal investigation may be underway.
Costanza's departure is separate from the political dismissals that have targeted senior officers, but it underscores the heightened scrutiny on military leadership. The Army's V Corps, headquartered at Fort Knox, Kentucky, and Camp Kościuszko in Poland, plays a critical role in NATO's eastern flank, and its leadership transition comes at a time of heightened tensions with Russia.
Maj. Gen. Thomas Feltey, who was nominated for promotion to lieutenant general last month, is expected to take over V Corps in October. Feltey previously commanded the 1st Cavalry Division at Fort Hood, Texas. His appointment will bring a new leader to a corps that has been central to U.S. deterrence efforts in Europe.
The Army's decision to relieve Costanza without public explanation has raised questions among defense analysts about the criteria for command accountability. The service has faced similar controversies in recent years, including the dismissal of several brigade commanders for misconduct.
As the Pentagon continues to navigate a period of leadership churn, the focus remains on maintaining readiness and morale among troops stationed in Europe. The removal of a senior commander, even for conduct reasons, can have ripple effects across the force, and the Army will be keen to ensure a smooth transition as Feltey prepares to take the reins.
