RismadarVoice Reporters, June 24, 2026
General Christopher Donahue, the senior U.S. Army commander responsible for operations across Europe and Africa and widely recognised as the last American soldier to leave Afghanistan in 2021, is set to step down from his position after only 18 months in command.
The U.S. Army confirmed on Tuesday that Donahue will officially relinquish command on July 2. He currently serves as the commanding general of U.S. Army Europe and Africa and also leads NATO’s Allied Land Command.
His departure comes amid broader changes in U.S. military leadership under Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, whose efforts to restructure the armed forces have led to the retirement or early exit of several senior military officials.
According to the Army, Major General Christopher Norrie, Donahue’s deputy, will temporarily assume his responsibilities pending the appointment of a successor.
A graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, Donahue built a distinguished career in special operations, leading elite units during deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan. He later commanded the 82nd Airborne Division from 2020 to 2022.
Donahue gained international attention during the final stages of the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. He supervised security operations at Kabul’s Hamid Karzai International Airport during the evacuation effort and became the last American service member to leave the country on August 30, 2021. An image of him boarding the final U.S. military aircraft became one of the defining photographs of the withdrawal.
The Afghanistan withdrawal has remained a subject of political debate in Washington. The operation, which ended nearly two decades of U.S. military involvement in the country, has faced scrutiny from both political leaders and defence officials. Earlier this year, the Pentagon launched another review of the withdrawal despite several previous investigations conducted by military, diplomatic, and congressional bodies.
Despite criticism surrounding the evacuation, Donahue’s leadership during the operation earned praise from military officials and lawmakers across party lines. Within defence circles, he was often viewed as a potential candidate for some of the military’s highest leadership positions.
Reports suggest his departure coincides with discussions about restructuring the Army’s European and African command. Officials are reportedly considering reducing the command from a four-star to a three-star position as part of broader military reforms.
The move also comes as the Pentagon reassesses America’s military posture in Europe. Defence Secretary Hegseth recently announced a six-month review of U.S. force deployments across the continent, urging European allies to take greater responsibility for their own defence and security.
The Pentagon has yet to provide further details regarding Donahue’s departure or any potential changes to the command structure.
