Gen. Chris Donahue, a prominent officer who has led U.S. Army Europe and Africa for the past 18 months, is set to relinquish command on July 2, 2026, well before the typical three-year assignment concludes. The Army confirmed the departure.

Donahue's command oversees Army operations across Europe and Africa. His early departure comes as Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth continues a significant reorganization of the Pentagon's senior leadership, which has involved the removal or sidelining of numerous high-ranking officers. The Army's top officer, Gen. Randy George, was among those affected.

Command Restructuring

Concurrent with Donahue's exit, the U.S. Army Europe and Africa command is slated to be downgraded from a four-star to a three-star position as part of Hegseth's initiative to reduce the overall number of generals. Officers holding four-star general positions are typically only eligible for roles of that same rank; without such openings, retirement becomes the most common path.

Lt. Gen. Kevin Admiral, currently commanding the Army's III Armored Corps, is expected to be nominated to lead the reorganized command. Maj. Gen. Christopher Norrie, deputy commander of U.S. Army Europe and Africa, will serve as acting commander in the interim, according to the Army.

Donahue's Career Highlights

Gen. Donahue has held several significant commands throughout his career, including leading the Army's elite Delta Force and the 82nd Airborne Division. He possesses extensive combat experience gained over two decades of military operations. Within the Army, Donahue has been regarded as a top-tier officer with the potential for future high-level leadership roles, including Chief of Staff.

He gained wider public recognition as the final U.S. service member to depart Afghanistan in August 2021. At that time, commanding the 82nd Airborne Division, he was photographed boarding a C-17 aircraft as the U.S. concluded its evacuation mission. The move marked the end of America's nearly 20-year military involvement in the country.

The Atlantic was the first to report on Gen. Donahue's impending departure.