UPDATE - Top US military officer at NATO fired over 'loss of confidence'

ADDS PENTAGON STATEMENT, CHANGES HEADLINE, LEDE, DECK

By Diyar Guldogan and Yasin Gungor

WASHINGTON/ISTANBUL (AA) - US Navy Vice Admiral Shoshana Chatfield, Washington's military representative to NATO’s Military Committee, has been fired "due to a loss of confidence in her ability to lead," according to a Pentagon statement on Tuesday.

"The Defense Department is grateful for her many years of military service," said spokesman Sean Parnell.

The move came after the Trump administration terminated Gen. Timothy Haugh, the head of the National Security Agency and US Cyber Command, last week.

US lawmakers expressed concern Monday over Chatfield's firing.

"Trump’s relentless attacks on our alliances and his careless dismissal of decorated military officials make us less safe and weaken our position across the world," Senator Mark Warner said on X.

Congressman Gil Cisneros said Chatfield is a three-star officer and was the first woman to lead the Naval War College.

"I continue to have grave concerns with the President's purge of national security officials based on perceived loyalty, rather than competency," Cisneros said on X.

Rep. Salud Carbajal said another "distinguished military leader" was dismissed.

"Making staffing decisions based on loyalty rather than competency is irresponsible and puts our national security at risk," Carbajal said.

Chatfield had served at NATO since 2023, after serving as the first woman to lead the Naval War College from August 2019 to June 2023.