Incoming Special Operations Command Europe commander Brig. Gen. Joseph Lock, left, shakes hands with outgoing SOCEUR commander Maj. Gen. Steven Edwards following a change of command ceremony July 15, 2024, at Patch Barracks in Stuttgart, Germany. (Tim Beery/U.S. Army)
STUTTGART, Germany — Army Brig. Gen. Joseph Lock took command this week of U.S. special operations troops in Europe, assuming leadership of a force that has played an integral role in training Ukraine’s military.
On Monday, Lock replaced Maj. Gen. Steven Edwards, who is retiring after leading the Stuttgart-based Special Operations Command Europe for the past two years.
“You’re inheriting a command that is located at the forefront of our nation’s mission,” U.S. European Command’s Gen. Christopher Cavoli said during a Monday ceremony at Patch Barracks.
Cavoli said Russia’s February 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine and its aftermath has “jolted us awake.”
U.S. Army Gen. Christopher Cavoli, left, the head of U.S. European Command, passes the organizational colors to incoming commander Brig. Gen. Joseph Lock during the Special Operations Command Europe change of command ceremony July 15, 2024, at Patch Barracks in Stuttgart, Germany. At right is the outgoing commander, Air Force Maj. Gen. Steven Edwards. (Tim Beery/U.S. Army)
“The war in Ukraine has served as a terrible reminder of the large-scale wars throughout history and a reminder that they can occur again today,” Cavoli said.
Lock will lead a mix of Green Berets and Navy SEALs who are involved in an array of training missions with allies across Europe. Over the years, the command also has been involved in the training of Ukraine’s special operations troops.
Lock has served in various special operations units over the years, including a stint leading a joint task force in Central Command and as assistant commander of Joint Special Operations Command.
“I am honored to be a part of this dynamic command that continues to work throughout the theater, preserving security during this critical time,” Lock said.
Besides training, Lock will be tasked with preparing to relocate much of his force from Stuttgart to Baumholder, a more rural area with access to larger training grounds.
Army officials have said the move is expected to happen by 2026, which will add about 1,000 people to the Army’ Baumholder garrison.
Multimillion-dollar construction efforts are underway to support the plan, which has been years in the making. The move doesn’t involve SOCEUR’s headquarters, which will remain in Stuttgart.
