General Christopher Donahue, commander of US Army Europe and Africa (USAREUR-AF) and head of NATO Allied Land Command, will depart his post on 2/7. The US Army announced this on 23/6, noting his departure comes just 18 months after he assumed the role. His deputy, Major General Christopher Norrie, will take over the position on an interim basis until a new leader is appointed.

The Financial Times reported that US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth pressured General Donahue, 56, into early retirement, though specific reasons remain undisclosed. An unnamed US official informed ABC News that the commands Donahue headed are slated for a downgrade, transitioning from a 4-star general-led command to one led by a 3-star general. This move is part of Secretary Hegseth's broader initiative to reduce the number of generals.

General Donahue speaking at Sainte-Mere-Eglise, France in 6/2025. Photo: US Army

According to ABC News, US officers holding the rank of a 4-star general can only serve in positions designated for that specific rank. Without such a role, their sole recourse is retirement.

General Donahue is the most recent among approximately 20 senior US military leaders compelled to retire or step down prematurely during Secretary Hegseth's tenure. Hegseth advocates a philosophy of "fewer generals, more soldiers." In 4/2026, Secretary Hegseth also dismissed General Randy George from his role as US Army commander, a decision that sparked discontent among US military officers.

General Donahue is a graduate of the West Point Military Academy. He previously led the elite Delta Force in Iraq and Afghanistan before commanding the 82nd Airborne Division from 7/2020 to 3/2022.

He was responsible for overseeing security operations at Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul during the 2021 US military withdrawal from Afghanistan. On 30/8/2021, he became the final US serviceman to depart Afghanistan, marking the conclusion of the nearly 20-year conflict in the nation. Night-vision goggles captured the moment General Donahue boarded a C-17 transport aircraft to depart Afghanistan, making it an iconic image of the war.

General Donahue stepping onto a C-17 transport plane to leave Afghanistan in 8/2021. Photo: US Army

Secretary Hegseth and President Donald Trump have consistently used the tumultuous withdrawal from Afghanistan as a point of political criticism. This is despite the event stemming from a treaty negotiated by the Trump administration with the Taliban during his initial presidential term. In 5/2025, Secretary Hegseth mandated a review of the withdrawal, despite numerous prior assessments conducted by the Pentagon, Central Command, and the US Congress.

Despite this, Donahue's leadership during the withdrawal earned praise from both Republican and Democratic members. Within the US Army, officials regarded him as a top-tier officer, capable of potentially leading the service or even becoming Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in the future.

By Pham Giang (Sources: AP, Financial Times, ABC News)