U.S. Army Gen. Donahue to Relinquish Command Amid Pentagon Leadership Purge
Gen. Christopher Donahue, commander of U.S. Army Europe and Africa and the last U.S. soldier out of Afghanistan in 2021, will unexpectedly step down on July 2, 2025 (or 2026, per some reports) after just over a year in command. His departure is part of a broader wave of senior military removals by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, including the Army Chief of Staff and former Joint Chiefs Chairman. No official reason was given for Donahue’s exit.
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Ukraine's top general thanks outgoing US Army Europe commander as war continues
Ukraine's Commander-in-Chief Gen. Oleksandr Syrskyi publicly thanked outgoing U.S. Army Europe and Africa commander Gen. Christopher Donahue for his role in building and sustaining military support to Kyiv. Donahue relinquished his post on July 3, 2026, after an unexpectedly brief 18-month command, following Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's request for his resignation. Syrskyi credited Donahue with delivering long-range systems, strengthening air defenses, and saving thousands of Ukrainian lives. The farewell comes amid strained U.S.-Ukraine relations under the Trump administration, which has questioned the value of Kyiv's fight. Donahue's departure is part of a broader shake-up that has removed at least a dozen senior military leaders since Hegseth took office.
Army TimesUkraine's top general thanks outgoing US Army commander as war continues
Ukraine's commander-in-chief, Gen. Oleksandr Syrskyi, publicly thanked outgoing U.S. Army Europe and Africa commander Gen. Christopher Donahue for his role in building Washington's support pipeline to Kyiv, crediting him with saving thousands of Ukrainian lives. Donahue submitted his retirement after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth requested his resignation, according to reports. The farewell comes at a tense moment in U.S.-Ukraine relations, with the Trump administration questioning the value of Kyiv's fight. Donahue's departure extends a shake-up that has removed at least a dozen senior military leaders since Hegseth took office. Syrskyi praised Donahue as a man of honor and said Ukrainian warriors will always hold him in the highest esteem.
Defense NewsUkraine's top general thanks outgoing US Army commander as war continues
Ukraine's Commander-in-Chief Gen. Oleksandr Syrskyi publicly thanked outgoing U.S. Army Europe and Africa commander Gen. Christopher Donahue for building and sustaining Washington's support pipeline to Kyiv, crediting him with saving thousands of Ukrainian lives. Donahue was forced to resign after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth personally requested his departure, part of a broader shake-up of senior military leaders. Syrskyi praised Donahue's partnership since the early days of Russia's full-scale invasion, when Donahue led the 82nd Airborne Division into Poland. The farewell comes at a tense moment in U.S.-Ukraine relations, with the Trump administration questioning the value of Kyiv's fight. Donahue's deputy, Maj. Gen. Christopher Norrie, took over in an acting capacity.
Military TimesUkraine's top general thanks outgoing US Army Europe commander as war continues
Ukraine's Commander-in-Chief Gen. Oleksandr Syrskyi publicly thanked outgoing U.S. Army Europe and Africa commander Gen. Christopher Donahue for his role in building and sustaining military support to Kyiv, crediting him with saving thousands of Ukrainian lives. Donahue submitted retirement papers after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reportedly requested his resignation, part of a broader shake-up of senior military leaders under the Trump administration. Syrskyi highlighted their partnership since the 2022 invasion, when Donahue led the 82nd Airborne into Poland. The departure comes at a tense moment in U.S.-Ukraine relations, with the Trump administration questioning the value of Kyiv's fight. Donahue's deputy, Maj. Gen. Christopher Norrie, assumed acting command.
Defense NewsUkraine's top general thanks outgoing US Army commander for saving lives amid war
Ukraine's Commander-in-Chief Gen. Oleksandr Syrskyi publicly thanked outgoing U.S. Army Europe and Africa commander Gen. Christopher Donahue for his role in building and sustaining military support to Ukraine during the war with Russia. Donahue relinquished his post on July 3, 2026, after 18 months in command, following a personal request from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to resign. Syrskyi credited Donahue with delivering long-range systems, strengthening air defenses, and saving thousands of Ukrainian lives. The departure comes as the Trump administration questions the value of Kyiv's fight, and it extends a broader shake-up of senior military leaders under Hegseth. Donahue's deputy, Maj. Gen. Christopher Norrie, has taken over in an acting capacity.
Military TimesUkraine's top general thanks outgoing US Army commander for saving thousands of lives
Ukraine's Commander-in-Chief Gen. Oleksandr Syrskyi publicly thanked outgoing U.S. Army Europe and Africa commander Gen. Christopher Donahue for building and sustaining Washington's military support pipeline to Kyiv. Donahue relinquished his post on July 3, 2026, after an unexpectedly brief 18-month command, following Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's request for his resignation. Syrskyi credited Donahue with delivering long-range systems, strengthening air defenses, and saving thousands of Ukrainian lives. The farewell comes amid strained U.S.-Ukraine relations under the Trump administration, which has questioned Kyiv's fight. Donahue's departure is part of a broader shake-up that has removed at least a dozen senior military leaders since Hegseth took office, often without public explanation.
Army TimesUkraine's top general thanks outgoing US Army Europe commander for saving lives
Ukraine's commander-in-chief, Gen. Oleksandr Syrskyi, publicly thanked outgoing U.S. Army Europe and Africa commander Gen. Christopher Donahue for his role in building and sustaining Washington's military support pipeline to Kyiv. Donahue submitted his retirement papers after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth requested his resignation, marking an unexpectedly brief 18-month tenure. Syrskyi credited Donahue with delivering long-range systems, strengthening air defenses, and saving thousands of Ukrainian lives. The departure comes amid a broader shake-up of senior military leaders under Hegseth and at a tense moment in U.S.-Ukraine relations, with the Trump administration questioning the value of Kyiv's fight. Donahue's deputy, Maj. Gen. Christopher Norrie, assumed command in an acting capacity.
Army TimesUkraine's top general thanks outgoing US Army Europe commander for saving thousands of lives
Ukraine's Commander-in-Chief Gen. Oleksandr Syrskyi publicly thanked outgoing U.S. Army Europe and Africa commander Gen. Christopher Donahue for building and sustaining Washington's support pipeline to Kyiv, crediting him with saving thousands of Ukrainian lives. Donahue relinquished his post on July 3, 2026, after an unexpectedly brief 18-month command, following Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's personal request for his resignation. The departure is part of a broader shake-up of senior military leaders under Hegseth. Syrskyi praised Donahue's partnership since the early days of Russia's full-scale invasion, highlighting deliveries of long-range systems and strengthened air defenses. The farewell comes amid strained U.S.-Ukraine relations under the Trump administration, which has questioned the value of Kyiv's fight.
Military TimesUkraine's top general thanks outgoing US Army commander Donahue as war continues
Ukraine's Commander-in-Chief Gen. Oleksandr Syrskyi publicly thanked outgoing U.S. Army Europe and Africa commander Gen. Christopher Donahue for his role in building Washington's support pipeline to Kyiv, crediting him with saving thousands of Ukrainian lives. Donahue submitted his retirement papers after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reportedly requested his resignation, extending a shake-up that has removed at least a dozen senior military leaders. Syrskyi highlighted their partnership since the early days of Russia's full-scale invasion, when Donahue led the 82nd Airborne Division into Poland. The farewell comes amid strained U.S.-Ukraine relations under the Trump administration, which has questioned the value of Kyiv's fight. Donahue's deputy, Maj. Gen. Christopher Norrie, took over in an acting capacity.
Defense NewsTop US Army Commander in Europe and Africa Relinquishes Role After Ouster
Army General Christopher Donahue, 56, relinquished command of U.S. Army Europe and Africa in Wiesbaden, Germany, on Thursday, following his unexpected dismissal by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth last month. Donahue, a former special operations officer and widely regarded as a rising star in the Army, had led the command overseeing U.S. military operations across Europe and Africa. His ouster marks a significant leadership change in a key theater amid ongoing geopolitical tensions. The move has drawn attention due to Donahue's extensive background in special operations and his reputation within military circles. The reasons for his removal have not been fully detailed, but it underscores shifts in Pentagon leadership under the current administration.
Just In NewsGen. Christopher Donahue relinquishes command of US Army Europe and Africa
U.S. Army Gen. Christopher Donahue relinquished command of U.S. Army Europe and Africa in Wiesbaden, Germany, on July 2, 2026, after an unexpectedly brief 18 months in the role. The Army has not provided a reason for the leadership change. Maj. Gen. Christopher Norrie will serve as acting commander until a successor is confirmed. Donahue, a West Point graduate, previously led the XVIII Airborne Corps and the 82nd Airborne Division, and oversaw the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021. A night vision photo of him stepping onto the final C-17 out of Kabul became an iconic image of the war. His departure comes amid sweeping leadership changes at the Pentagon, where Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has removed or replaced at least a dozen senior leaders.
Army TimesGen. Christopher Donahue Relinquishes Command of US Army Europe and Africa
U.S. Army Gen. Christopher Donahue unexpectedly relinquished command of U.S. Army Europe and Africa in Wiesbaden, Germany, after only 18 months in the role. The Army has provided no reason for the leadership change. Maj. Gen. Christopher Norrie will serve as acting commander until a successor is confirmed. Donahue, a West Point graduate, previously commanded the XVIII Airborne Corps and the 82nd Airborne Division, and in 2021 oversaw the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. A night vision photo of him stepping onto the final C-17 out of Kabul became an emblematic image of that war. His departure comes amid sweeping leadership changes at the Pentagon, where Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has removed or replaced at least a dozen senior leaders since taking office.
Military TimesGen. Christopher Donahue Relinquishes Command of US Army Europe and Africa After 18 Months
U.S. Army Gen. Christopher Donahue unexpectedly relinquished command of U.S. Army Europe and Africa on July 2, 2026, after only 18 months in the role. The Army has not provided a reason for the leadership change. Maj. Gen. Christopher Norrie will serve as acting commander until a successor is confirmed. Donahue, a West Point graduate and former commander of the XVIII Airborne Corps and 82nd Airborne Division, famously oversaw the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021, with a night-vision photo of him stepping onto the final C-17 out of Kabul becoming an iconic image. His departure comes amid sweeping Pentagon leadership changes, with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth having removed or replaced at least a dozen senior leaders since taking office.
Defense NewsGen. Christopher Donahue Relinquishes Command of US Army Europe and Africa
U.S. Army Gen. Christopher Donahue relinquished command of U.S. Army Europe and Africa in Wiesbaden, Germany, on July 2, 2026, after an unexpectedly brief 18 months in the role. The Army has not provided a reason for the leadership change. Maj. Gen. Christopher Norrie will serve as acting commander until a successor is confirmed. Donahue, a West Point graduate, previously led the XVIII Airborne Corps and the 82nd Airborne Division, and oversaw the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021. His departure comes amid sweeping leadership changes at the Pentagon under Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who has removed or replaced at least a dozen senior leaders since taking office.
Military TimesGen. Christopher Donahue Relinquishes Command of US Army Europe and Africa
U.S. Army Gen. Christopher Donahue unexpectedly relinquished command of U.S. Army Europe and Africa in Wiesbaden, Germany, on July 2, 2026, after only 18 months in the role. The Army has not provided a reason for the leadership change. Maj. Gen. Christopher Norrie will serve as acting commander until a successor is confirmed. Donahue, a West Point graduate, previously led the XVIII Airborne Corps and the 82nd Airborne Division, and oversaw the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021. A night vision photo of him stepping onto the final C-17 out of Kabul became an iconic image of the war. His departure comes amid sweeping leadership changes at the Pentagon under Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who has removed or replaced at least a dozen senior leaders.
Army TimesGen. Christopher Donahue Relinquishes Command of US Army Europe and Africa
U.S. Army Gen. Christopher Donahue relinquished command of U.S. Army Europe and Africa in Wiesbaden, Germany, on July 2, 2026, after an unexpectedly brief 18 months in the role. The Army has not provided a reason for the leadership change. Maj. Gen. Christopher Norrie will serve as acting commander until a successor is confirmed. Donahue, a West Point graduate, previously led the XVIII Airborne Corps and the 82nd Airborne Division, and oversaw the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021. A night vision photo of him stepping onto the final C-17 out of Kabul became an iconic image. His departure comes amid sweeping Pentagon leadership changes under Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who has removed or replaced at least a dozen senior leaders.
Defense NewsGen. Christopher Donahue Relinquishes Command of US Army Europe and Africa
U.S. Army Gen. Christopher Donahue relinquished command of U.S. Army Europe and Africa in Wiesbaden, Germany, on July 2, 2026, after an unexpectedly brief 18 months in the role. The Army has not provided a reason for the leadership change. Maj. Gen. Christopher Norrie will serve as acting commander until a successor is confirmed. Donahue, a West Point graduate who previously led the XVIII Airborne Corps and the 82nd Airborne Division, oversaw the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021. A night vision photo of him stepping onto the final C-17 out of Kabul became an iconic image of the war. His departure is part of broader Pentagon leadership changes under Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who has removed or replaced at least a dozen senior leaders since taking office.
Army TimesGen. Christopher Donahue Relinquishes Command of US Army Europe and Africa
U.S. Army Gen. Christopher Donahue unexpectedly relinquished command of U.S. Army Europe and Africa in Wiesbaden, Germany, on July 2, 2026, after only 18 months in the role. The Army has not provided a reason for the leadership change. Maj. Gen. Christopher Norrie will serve as acting commander until a successor is confirmed. Donahue, a West Point graduate, previously led the XVIII Airborne Corps and the 82nd Airborne Division, and oversaw the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021. His departure is part of broader Pentagon leadership changes under Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who has removed or replaced at least a dozen senior leaders since taking office.
Military TimesGen. Christopher Donahue Relinquishes Command of US Army Europe and Africa
U.S. Army Gen. Christopher Donahue relinquished command of U.S. Army Europe and Africa in Wiesbaden, Germany, on July 2, 2026, after an unexpectedly brief 18 months in the role. The Army has not provided a reason for the leadership change. Maj. Gen. Christopher Norrie will serve as acting commander until a successor is confirmed. Donahue, a West Point graduate and former commander of the XVIII Airborne Corps and 82nd Airborne Division, oversaw the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021. His departure comes amid sweeping leadership changes at the Pentagon, where Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has removed or replaced at least a dozen senior leaders since taking office.
Defense NewsAnalysis: Gen. Donahue Dismissed from US Army Europe and Africa Command
Gen. Christopher Donahue has been dismissed from his post as commander of U.S. Army Europe and Africa (USAREUR-AF). Retired Polish Lt. Gen. Jarosław Gromadziński, who worked closely with Donahue on Ukraine training, describes him as a thoroughbred special operator with a front-line mindset. Three reasons are cited for the dismissal: political association with the Biden administration and the chaotic 2021 Afghanistan withdrawal (Donahue was the last soldier photographed leaving); structural reorganization splitting the merged Europe-Africa command and downgrading the Wiesbaden post from four stars to three; and a broader Pentagon review of NATO forces under Secretary Pete Hegseth, requiring a commander aligned with new policy. Donahue previously led the Security Assistance Group-Ukraine and the XVIII Airborne Corps.
Defence24.com