SouthernWorldwide.com – General Christopher Donahue, the commanding general of U.S. Army forces in both European and African theaters, as well as the leader of NATO’s Allied Land Command, is unexpectedly stepping down from his post.
General Donahue submitted his retirement papers on the request of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. This move aligns with Secretary Hegseth’s broader objective to reduce the number of generals within the military and to prioritize the recruitment and training of new enlisted soldiers, often referred to as “GIs.” His departure marks the latest in a series of early retirements or exits among senior military leadership under Hegseth’s tenure.
Following General Donahue’s retirement on July 2, his deputy, Major General Christopher Norrie, is slated to assume responsibility for his duties. This transition is expected to ensure continuity in command and operations within the European and African theaters.
General Donahue is widely recognized for his role as the final U.S. soldier to depart Afghanistan in August 2021. This departure signified the conclusion of America’s nearly two-decade-long military involvement in the country, which commenced in the aftermath of the September 11th attacks. The poignant moment of his exit, captured in an iconic photograph taken through night vision goggles as he boarded a C-17 cargo plane, became a symbol of the war’s end.
At the time of the Afghanistan withdrawal, General Donahue held the position of commander of the 82nd Airborne Division. He was deployed to oversee security arrangements at Hamid Karzai International Airport during the complex and often chaotic evacuation process.
It is important to note that while General Donahue’s forces were involved in the broader evacuation efforts, the responsibility for securing Abbey Gate at the airport, which was subsequently targeted in a suicide bombing by an ISIS-K operative, rested with the Marines. This attack resulted in the tragic loss of 13 U.S. service members and an estimated 170 Afghan civilians.
Despite the criticisms leveled against the overall withdrawal strategy, which was often described as rushed and disorganized, General Donahue’s leadership during the evacuation itself garnered commendation. The operation successfully airlifted approximately 124,000 Afghan citizens from the country, earning praise from across the political spectrum, including from both Democratic and Republican lawmakers.
The Afghanistan withdrawal has remained a subject of intense scrutiny. Former President Donald Trump, for years, criticized former President Joe Biden’s handling of the withdrawal. In May, Secretary Hegseth further intensified this review by ordering a new investigation into the operation, building upon earlier inquiries conducted by the Pentagon, U.S. Central Command, the State Department, and various congressional committees.
A graduate of West Point and a seasoned commander with extensive experience in special operations, General Donahue previously led Delta Force units in both Iraq and Afghanistan. He then served as the commander of the 82nd Airborne Division from July 2020 to March 2022. His current appointment to lead U.S. Army forces in European and African theaters, as well as NATO’s Allied Land Command, was made by President Biden in December 2024.
Within the U.S. Army, General Donahue is regarded as one of the most experienced officers, possessing a wealth of combat experience that surpasses that of many of his peers. According to reports from The Associated Press, he was also considered a strong candidate for future leadership roles, potentially including the position of Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
General Donahue’s resignation comes at a time when Secretary Hegseth has announced plans to lead a comprehensive six-month review of American forces stationed in Europe. This initiative, which Hegseth detailed to NATO allies, aims to assess and potentially reorient the U.S. military presence on the continent.
“This will be a real review. It will be designed to ensure that NATO is moving fast and irreversibly toward Europe leading, stepping up to take primary responsibility for the defense of Europe,” Hegseth stated to NATO officials in Brussels. He further elaborated that the review would identify countries that are meeting expectations and those that are not.
As of the initial reporting of General Donahue’s departure by The Atlantic, neither the Pentagon nor the Army had issued immediate official comments. The circumstances surrounding his exit are being closely watched within military and political circles.
To retain his four-star retirement benefits, General Donahue will require a presidential waiver. This is due to the fact that he has not held the rank of four-star general for the mandated three years, a prerequisite for standard retirement benefits at that level.
