Gen. Christopher Donahue, the commanding general of U.S. Army forces in Europe and Africa, is retiring from his post, according to a statement from the Army. Donahue, who also leads NATO's Allied Land Command, will resign on July 2, concluding approximately a year and a half in the role.
His departure comes at the request of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who has been initiating changes within the military leadership. Donahue is among more than two dozen military leaders to leave or retire early under Hegseth's tenure. Maj. Gen. Christopher Norrie, Donahue's deputy, is slated to assume his duties following his departure.
Donahue is widely recognized as the last U.S. soldier to depart Afghanistan in August 2021, marking the end of the nearly 20-year war. The moment of his departure from Kabul was captured in an iconic photograph taken with night vision goggles. At the time, he commanded the 82nd Airborne Division and was responsible for security at Hamid Karzai International Airport during the withdrawal. While the Marines were in charge of securing Abbey Gate, where a suicide bombing by ISIS-K killed 13 U.S. service members, Donahue's leadership of the subsequent evacuation, which airlifted approximately 124,000 Afghan citizens, received praise from across the political spectrum, despite broader criticism of the withdrawal strategy.
A West Point graduate and a veteran special operations commander, Donahue previously led Delta Force units in Iraq and Afghanistan. He commanded the 82nd Airborne Division from July 2020 to March 2022 before his appointment to his current European command in December 2024. In his role in Europe, Donahue has been instrumental in coordinating military aid to Ukraine following Russia's invasion in February 2022, and officials note his extensive experience in drone warfare.
Donahue's departure coincides with ongoing discussions within the Army to potentially downgrade U.S. Army Europe and Africa from a four-star to a three-star command. This potential change follows Secretary Hegseth's announcement of a six-month review of American forces in Europe, aimed at increasing NATO's self-reliance in European defense.
Donahue will require a presidential waiver to retain his four-star retirement benefits, as he has not held that rank for the required three years.
The Pentagon and the Army had not immediately commented on Donahue's exit, which was initially reported by The Atlantic.