The U.S. Army general who became the last American service member to leave Afghanistan in 2021 is stepping down from his command in Europe and Africa after only 18 months in the role.
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Gen. Christopher Donahue will relinquish command on July 2 as commander of U.S. Army Europe and Africa and NATO's Allied Land Command, according to an Army statement. His deputy, Maj. Gen. Christopher Norrie, will assume his duties on an interim basis.
Military Leadership Changes Continue
Donahue's departure adds to a growing list of senior military leaders who have retired or left their positions since Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth took office. Hegseth has advocated reducing the number of senior officers, promoting a policy he describes as "less generals, more GIs."
A graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, Donahue built his career in special operations, commanding Delta Force units in Iraq and Afghanistan before leading the 82nd Airborne Division from 2020 to 2022.
Role in Afghanistan Withdrawal
During that assignment, he oversaw security at Kabul's Hamid Karzai International Airport during the final stages of the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan.
On Aug. 30, 2021, Donahue became the last American soldier to leave the country, boarding the final C-17 transport aircraft as the nearly two-decade U.S. military mission came to an end. The moment was captured in a widely circulated night-vision photograph.
The Afghanistan withdrawal has remained a frequent target of criticism from Hegseth and President Donald Trump. The administration has launched a new Pentagon review of the operation despite previous examinations by the Pentagon, U.S. Central Command, the State Department and Congress.
Praise Despite Political Debate
Despite political criticism of the withdrawal, Donahue received praise from both Republicans and Democrats for his handling of the evacuation. Within military circles, he was often viewed as a leading candidate for the Army's top uniformed positions, including a potential future role as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
According to an Army official cited by the Associated Press, Donahue's departure comes as officials consider reducing U.S. Army Europe and Africa from a four-star command to a three-star command.
Focus on Europe Review
The possible restructuring coincides with broader discussions about America's military posture in Europe and Hegseth's calls for European allies to assume greater responsibility for their own defense.
Last week, Hegseth announced a six-month Pentagon review of U.S. forces in Europe, saying it would assess whether NATO members are moving toward taking primary responsibility for the continent's defense.
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Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 24 June 2026
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