Gen. Christopher Donahue, the commanding general of US Army Europe and Africa and NATO’s Allied Land Command, is unexpectedly relinquishing his post on July 2 after only 18 months in the role, the Army confirmed late Tuesday. Donahue was famously the last American soldier to leave Afghanistan in 2021, an event captured in an iconic night-vision photo of him boarding the final C-17 cargo plane.
Departure Amid Pentagon Leadership Shake-up
The Army statement provided to The Associated Press did not specify reasons for the early departure, but it comes as Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has overseen a wave of early retirements and resignations among top military leaders under his mantra “less generals, more GIs.” Donahue is the latest in a line of nearly two dozen senior officers to leave their posts ahead of schedule. His deputy, Maj. Gen. Christopher Norrie, will assume his duties temporarily.
An Army official speaking on condition of anonymity told the AP that Donahue’s departure coincides with discussions about downgrading US Army Europe and Africa from a four-star to a three-star command. This potential restructuring aligns with ongoing criticism from Hegseth regarding European 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.” He added, “It’s a review that some countries will fail and others will pass with flying colors.”
Donahue’s Distinguished Career
A West Point graduate and career special operations commander, Donahue previously led Delta Force units in Iraq and Afghanistan and commanded the 82nd Airborne Division from July 2020 to March 2022. During that period, he oversaw security at Hamid Karzai International Airport during the chaotic US withdrawal from Afghanistan. On August 30, 2021, he became the last US service member to depart the country, ending nearly 20 years of war.
Donahue’s leadership during the evacuation earned bipartisan praise. Within the Army, he was widely regarded as a potential future Army chief or chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. His early departure marks a significant loss for the service.
Renewed Scrutiny of Afghanistan Withdrawal
Hegseth and President Donald Trump have frequently criticized the withdrawal, which was initiated under a treaty negotiated by the Trump administration with the Taliban. In May, Hegseth ordered a new Pentagon review of the operation, despite multiple previous reviews by the Pentagon, US Central Command, the State Department, and Congress that involved hundreds of interviews and extensive data analysis. It remains unclear what new information the latest review seeks.
The Pentagon did not immediately comment on Donahue’s departure, which was first reported by The Atlantic.
