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Jun 24, 2026 Major2
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Top Army General Donahue Steps Down After 18 Months as Europe and Africa Commander
Gen. Christopher Donahue, the last U.S. soldier to leave Afghanistan in 2021, is stepping down as commanding general of U.S. Army Europe and Africa after 18 months. His departure is part of a broader effort by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to reduce military leadership ranks and comes amid Pentagon discussions to downgrade the command from four-star to three-star status.
Quick Facts
Who
Gen. Christopher Donahue
What
Donahue stepping down from command
When
June 24, 2026 (confirmation date)
Where
Europe
- Donahue stepping down from command
- Last American soldier to depart Afghanistan in 2021
- Oversaw security at Hamid Karzai International Airport during 2021 withdrawal
- Pentagon discussing downgrading command from four-star to three-star
- Hegseth conducting six-month review of U.S. forces in Europe
Gen. Christopher Donahue, the commanding general of U.S. Army Europe and Africa and commander of NATO's Allied Land Command, is unexpectedly stepping down from his post after just 18 months, the Army confirmed on June 24, 2026. Donahue will relinquish command on July 2. His departure represents the latest in a series of nearly two dozen senior military leaders to retire or leave their positions early under Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who has undertaken a broad effort to reduce the military's top brass with the stated mantra "less generals, more GIs."
Donahue, a West Point graduate and career special operations commander, is widely remembered as the last American soldier to depart Afghanistan on August 30, 2021, an iconic moment captured in a photograph taken through night vision goggles showing him boarding the final C-17 cargo plane. He had overseen security at Hamid Karzai International Airport during the chaotic 2021 U.S. withdrawal after nearly 20 years of conflict. Prior to his current assignment, Donahue commanded Delta Force units in Iraq and Afghanistan and led the 82nd Airborne Division from July 2020 to March 2022.
While Donahue's leadership during the evacuation received bipartisan praise within the Army, his departure comes as the Pentagon reassesses U.S. military presence in Europe. An Army official told the Associated Press that the departure coincides with discussions to downgrade U.S. Army Europe and Africa from a four-star to a three-star command. This potential restructuring aligns with Defense Secretary Hegseth's ongoing criticism of European NATO allies. Last week, Hegseth announced a six-month Pentagon review of American forces in Europe, stating it is "designed to ensure that NATO is moving fast and irreversibly toward Europe leading, stepping up to take primary responsibility for the defense of Europe," adding that "some countries will fail and others will pass with flying colors."
Donahue's deputy, Maj. Gen. Christopher Norrie, will assume his duties temporarily. Within Army circles, Donahue had been regarded as a top officer with potential to lead the service or serve as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. The Pentagon did not immediately comment on his departure, which was first reported by The Atlantic.
Why This Matters
Donahue's departure signals accelerating military restructuring under Defense Secretary Hegseth's cost-cutting agenda, with potential downgrades to key European commands affecting NATO strategy. This shift coincides with a Pentagon review of U.S. force presence in Europe, directly impacting defense commitments to allied nations and raising questions about American military readiness in a region facing renewed geopolitical tensions.
Timeline & Sources
Sep 11, 2001
WireSeptember 11 attacks spark 20-year Afghanistan war
Aug 30, 2021
WireGen. Donahue becomes last U.S. soldier to depart Afghanistan
Jun 24, 2026
WireArmy confirms Donahue's resignation after 18 months as Europe and Africa commander
Jul 2, 2026
WireGen. Donahue officially relinquishes command