Marines merge Europe, Africa commands under one 2-star: A single general took charge of all Marine forces in Europe and Africa Tuesday as part of a significant merger of commands as officials work to streamline the service’s post-war crisis response mission.
During a ceremony in Stuttgart, Germany, Maj. Gen. Neil Nelson took charge of Marine Corps Forces Europe and Africa, according to a Marine news release. With Nelson stationed in Germany, the merger puts him closer than his predecessors to the Marines and sailors who operate across Europe and Africa.
“Not only does Nelson unite the Marines operating across two continents under one commander, he is the first commander to be based in Germany alongside the two geographical combatant commanders, [Air Force] Gen. Philip M. Breedlove and [Army] Gen. David M. Rodriguez,” the release states.
Until Tuesday's change of command ceremony, Marine forces in Europe were commanded by Lt. Gen. Robert Neller, who was based in Norfolk, Virginia. Marines in Africa were previously led by Maj. Gen. William Beydler, who is the head of II Marine Expeditionary Force based at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.
