美軍歐非空軍司令職位降級為三星將領　反映華府削減高層軍階與全球戰略重整

美國國防部宣布，美軍駐歐與非洲空軍司令部（USAFE-AFAFRICA）將由現任副司令傑森．海因茲中將（Lt. Gen. Jason Hinds）正式接任，但此一職位將不再維持傳統的「四星上將」階級，而是降為「三星將領」。這項變動是自 1957 年以來首次出現，反映五角大廈在川普政府第二任期下推動的高層軍官精簡計畫。

國防部長皮特．赫格瑟斯（Pete Hegseth）於今年 5 月發布命令，要求削減至少 20% 四星級將官與海軍上將職位，並同步縮編國民兵體系的將官數量。赫格瑟斯在備忘錄中指出，此舉旨在「移除冗餘的指揮層級，促進軍事行動的靈活性與創新能力」。

美軍駐歐空軍司令同時身兼北約盟軍空軍司令，長期象徵美國對歐洲安全的承諾。過去近七十年來，這一職位幾乎都由四星上將擔任，只有短暫空缺或代理期間由三星將領代行。如今職階調降，引發外界對美國是否在淡化歐洲防務地位的關注。

分析指出，此舉也延續了川普政府以來對歐洲盟國「防務支出不足」的批評脈絡。川普曾在第一任期內要求部分駐德美軍撤離，並多次強調美國「不應永遠承擔北約的安全負擔」。雖然赫格瑟斯強調「短期內不會縮減歐洲駐軍規模」，但此次人事調整象徵著美方正重新審視全球兵力佈局與領導層級。

美國空軍目前擁有約 11 名四星將領，其中包括參謀長大衛．奧爾文（Gen. David Allvin）與其接任者肯尼斯．威爾斯巴赫（Gen. Kenneth Wilsbach）。隨著全球戰略重心逐漸向印太地區轉移，歐洲的軍事指揮層級縮減，被認為是「資源重新分配」的明確信號。

對台灣而言，這一變化代表美國在全球軍事架構中更聚焦亞太戰略，也意味著華府可能將更多軍力與預算投入印太地區，以因應中國與俄羅斯的聯合軍事壓力。台灣的安全戰略因此需密切關注美軍指揮層級的調整與未來部署走向。

🇹🇼三個觀察重點

戰略重心東移：美軍高層縮編顯示全球戰略重新聚焦印太，台灣應強化與美軍在情報與聯訓層面的合作。
歐洲象徵地位下修：美歐防務關係或趨務實化，反映華府資源重新配置的現實考量。
台灣安全警示：美國若逐步減少歐洲承擔，印太壓力將更集中，中台海軍事風險需提早因應。

Pentagon Downgrades USAFE-AFAFRICA Command to Three-Star Rank, Signaling Strategic Shift

The Pentagon has announced that Lt. Gen. Jason Hinds will take command of U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Africa (USAFE-AFAFRICA), but the position—traditionally held by a four-star general—has been downgraded to a three-star billet. This marks the first such change since 1957, as the Trump administration’s Pentagon pursues a broader restructuring of senior military leadership.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth issued a directive in May calling for at least a 20% reduction in active-duty four-star generals and admirals, citing the need to “eliminate redundant layers of command and promote agility.” The move aligns with a push to streamline leadership and reduce bureaucracy across the armed forces.

The USAFE-AFAFRICA commander, who also serves as NATO’s Allied Air Commander, has historically symbolized America’s commitment to European defense. Analysts warn that the downgrade may raise questions among allies as Washington reassesses its global force posture.

Former President Donald Trump has long criticized NATO allies for insufficient defense spending and previously ordered partial troop withdrawals from Germany. Although Hegseth stated there are no immediate plans to cut troop levels in Europe, the rank reduction underscores the administration’s desire to reallocate resources to higher-priority theaters—chiefly, the Indo-Pacific.

For Taiwan, this shift signals a potential rebalancing of U.S. strategic focus toward Asia. As Washington trims senior leadership in Europe, more military and budgetary attention may be directed toward deterring China’s growing assertiveness and strengthening Indo-Pacific defense cooperation.

🇺🇸Three Key Observations

Shift to the Indo-Pacific: The downgrade reflects Washington’s intention to prioritize Asia, with implications for Taiwan’s security environment.
Europe’s Symbolic Downgrade: NATO allies may view this as reduced U.S. commitment, prompting them to increase their own defense efforts.
Taiwan’s Strategic Reminder: Taiwan should leverage the shift to deepen defense integration with the U.S. as part of a wider Indo-Pacific network.