WASHINGTON — Gen. Christopher Donahue, the U.S. Army’s top commander in Europe and Africa, is stepping down from his post amid a broader Pentagon restructuring effort under Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, the Army confirmed this week.
The Army said Donahue will relinquish command of U.S. Army Europe and Africa on July 2 after about 18 months in the role. Maj. Gen. Christopher Norrie, his deputy, will temporarily perform the duties of commanding general, according to an Army statement released on Tuesday. Donahue also serves as commander of NATO’s Allied Land Command.
“The Army thanks Gen. Donahue for his leadership of U.S. Army Europe and Africa,” an Army spokesperson said in a statement cited by CBS News. The service did not provide a reason for his departure.
Donahue is widely known as the last U.S. service member photographed boarding the final American military flight out of Afghanistan in August 2021. A veteran special operations officer, he previously commanded the 82nd Airborne Division and held several senior leadership positions during U.S. military operations in Iraq, Afghanistan and Syria.
His departure comes as the Defense Department pursues a series of reforms that include reducing the number of senior military leadership positions and reviewing the structure of several commands. Multiple media outlets reported that U.S. Army Europe and Africa is expected to be downgraded from a four-star command to a three-star command as part of those changes. Sources familiar with the matter told CNN that discussions about Donahue’s departure had been underway for months.
The move follows other leadership changes at the Pentagon. Earlier this year, Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George was removed from his position as part of a broader reshaping of senior military leadership, according to Pentagon statements and Reuters reporting.
Defense officials have described the restructuring effort as an attempt to streamline military leadership and place greater emphasis on operational readiness. Critics, including some former military officials and lawmakers, have expressed concern about the pace of leadership turnover and its potential effect on continuity within the armed forces. Details of internal deliberations remain unclear.
Donahue’s departure also coincides with a Pentagon review of U.S. force posture in Europe and NATO-related commitments. Officials have said the review is part of a broader assessment of military priorities and alliance responsibilities.
As of Thursday, the Army said Donahue would formally relinquish command next week, with Norrie assuming interim leadership while the Pentagon determines a permanent successor.
