U.S. Army Europe and Africa Commanding General Donahue Steps Down After 18 Months

U.S. Army Gen. Christopher Donahue, who recently gained prominence as the last soldier to leave Afghanistan in 2021, will unexpectedly relinquish his command of U.S. Army Europe and Africa (USAREUR-AF) on July 2, 2026, after just 18 months in the role. The Pentagon confirmed this news on Wednesday without providing a specific reason for the abrupt change. Maj. Gen. Christopher Norrie will take over Donahue's responsibilities as deputy commander of USAREUR-AF.

Donahue, a West Point graduate, assumed command of USAREUR-AF in December 2024 following his tenure leading the XVIII Airborne Corps and the 82nd Airborne Division. He was widely recognized for overseeing security during the chaotic U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, an event that culminated with him boarding the last C-17 aircraft out of Kabul under night-vision conditions, a moment captured in one of the defining images of the war's end.

The timing of Donahue’s departure coincides with broader leadership changes within the Pentagon under Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Since taking office, Hegseth has initiated significant shifts by removing over a dozen senior military leaders, including former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. C.Q. Brown and Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Lisa Franchetti. This series of retirements and reassignments underscores ongoing efforts to reshape the U.S. military's leadership structure and strategic direction.