Top Army General Donahue Steps Down After 18 Months as Europe and Africa Commander

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.