STUTTGART, Germany — Lt. Gen. Donald M. Campbell Jr., a Fort Hood, Texas-based commander, has been nominated to lead U.S. Army Europe, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta announced Thursday.

If confirmed, Campbell, who now heads up III Corps at Fort Hood, will replace Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling.

Hertling took command of U.S. Army Europe in March 2011. He was the first three-star general to command USAREUR since the 1950s. It was a change prompted by a reduced troop presence in Europe and a reflection of the need to save resources.

Campbell has been nominated at a time when USAREUR is poised to inactivate two of Europe’s four Army brigades.