General Chris Donahue, who was the last U.S. soldier to leave Afghanistan during the 2021 withdrawal, is set to leave his position as head of Army forces in Europe and Africa. His departure follows 18 months in the role and is part of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's ongoing changes within the military's senior ranks. Donahue has been recognized as a prominent leader within the Army, having served in various capacities during his two-decade career, including significant roles in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Syria.
Hegseth has been removing senior military personnel who do not align with his vision for military leadership, particularly those involved in the Afghanistan withdrawal. Donahue's exit is expected to coincide with a planned downgrade of U.S. Army Europe and Africa from a four-star command to a three-star command. This restructuring is part of broader efforts to consolidate military commands.
The military's leadership changes have raised concerns, prompting Senate Democrats to call for congressional notification regarding delays or withholding of officer promotions. Major General Christopher Norrie is expected to serve as acting commander following Donahue's departure, while Lieutenant General Kevin Admiral is anticipated to be nominated as his replacement.