Leadership Transition in U.S. Army Europe and Africa

The commander of the U.S. Army in Europe and Africa, Gen. Christopher Donahue, is set to step down after about eighteen months in his position, as confirmed by sources. This move marks a notable change in leadership.

Gen. Donahue, who also serves as the commander of NATO Allied Land Forces, will pass on his responsibilities on July 2. His deputy, Maj. Gen. Christopher Norrie, is expected to take over following this date.

The resignation was requested by Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, who is focusing on reducing the number of generals in the military and prioritizing the addition of new personnel. Donahue’s resignation is part of a broader trend, with over 20 military leaders retiring or stepping down early since Hegseth took office.

The Army expressed gratitude for Donahue’s leadership in a statement, acknowledging his contributions during his time in command.

Gen. Donahue is particularly noted for being the last U.S. soldier to leave Afghanistan in August 2021, which marked the conclusion of America’s nearly two-decade involvement following the September 11 attacks. That moment, captured in a well-known photo, occurred as he boarded a C-17 cargo plane amid the chaotic evacuation from Kabul.

While Gen. Donahue oversaw the evacuation efforts, Marines were tasked with securing the airport gates. A tragic event unfolded during the withdrawal, as a suicide bomber attacked, resulting in the loss of 13 U.S. service members and around 170 Afghan civilians. Despite the turmoil of the broader withdrawal strategy—which faced criticism for being rushed—Donahue received praise for effectively overseeing the airlift of approximately 124,000 Afghans.

The situation stirred political tensions, with former President Donald Trump criticizing the withdrawal actions and recent investigations being prompted by Hegseth into the operation itself.

A West Point graduate with a background in special operations, Donahue previously led Delta Force units and commanded the 82nd Airborne Division before assuming his current role in December 2024 under Biden’s administration. As a top military leader in Europe, he played a key role in facilitating military support for Ukraine after Russia’s invasion in February 2022. His expertise in drone warfare made him an essential figure in the current conflict.

Within military circles, Donahue is regarded as one of the most combat-experienced soldiers, and there were even discussions about his potential candidacy for chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

His departure aligns with plans to potentially downgrade the Army Europe and Africa command from four-star to three-star status, as mentioned by sources. This discussion follows Hegseth’s announcement regarding a six-month assessment of U.S. military forces in Europe, intending to enhance NATO’s capability and integrate more European leadership in defense matters.

While the Pentagon and Army have not issued immediate comments on Donahue’s resignation, it’s noted that he may require a presidential waiver to qualify for four-star retirement benefits given he hasn’t met the three-year requirement yet.