Gen. Christopher Donahue, Commander of US Army Europe and Africa, will step down on July 2 after 18 months in the role, the Army confirmed Tuesday in a statement to the Associated Press.
Donahue, who also serves as commander of NATO’s Allied Land Command, is the latest senior officer to leave amid Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s drive supposedly to slim down the Pentagon’s upper ranks under the slogan “less generals, more GIs.”
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His departure follows a wave of leadership changes that has seen nearly two dozen top military leaders retire, be removed, or leave early.
The command he currently leads – responsible for Army operations across Europe and Africa, and central to coordinating support for Ukraine and NATO’s eastern flank – is also expected to be downgraded from a four-star to a three-star position.
Maj. Gen. Christopher Norrie, Donahue’s deputy, will assume his responsibilities on an interim basis, according to the Army.
A graduate of the US Military Academy and a career special operations officer, Donahue previously commanded Delta Force units in Iraq and Afghanistan before leading the 82nd Airborne Division between 2020 and 2022.
He rose to international prominence during the chaotic US withdrawal from Afghanistan.
On Aug. 30, 2021, Donahue became the final American service member to leave the country after nearly two decades of war launched following the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks.
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A night-vision image showing him boarding the last C-17 transport aircraft out of Kabul became one of the defining photographs of the withdrawal.
Before taking command of US Army Europe and Africa in December 2024, Donahue had long been regarded inside the service as one of its most talented officers and a potential future Army chief of staff.
His departure comes as Hegseth presses ahead with a broader restructuring of the military leadership.
Earlier this year, Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George was ousted, while officials have signaled plans to reduce the number of four-star commands across the force.
Lt. Gen. Kevin Admiral, commander of III Armored Corps, is expected to be nominated as Donahue’s successor.
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