Army Europe and Africa Commander Submits Retirement Papers

Gen. Chris Donahue, commander of U.S. Army Europe and Africa, has submitted retirement papers, according to multiple sources familiar with the situation. The U.S. Army confirmed in a statement that he will relinquish command on July 2. Maj. Gen. Christopher Norrie, Donahue's deputy, will perform the duties of the commanding general.

An Army spokesperson said the service thanks Donahue for his leadership of the command.

Donahue is a West Point graduate, former Delta Force commander and former commander of the 82nd Airborne Division. He helped lead security for the 2021 evacuation of Kabul and was the last American soldier on the ground before boarding the final U.S. aircraft departing Afghanistan.

The following year he was among the first senior officers on the ground in Europe to assist Ukrainian forces after Russia's full-scale invasion. He played a role in advising Ukrainian forces during the first year of the war.

Several other high-profile military officials have left since President Trump's return to office. Navy Vice Adm. Shoshana Chatfield was removed from her NATO military committee post in April. The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff was ousted in February 2025, along with the Chief of Naval Operations and Air Force Vice Chief of Staff.

Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Linda Fagan was fired shortly before that, and the head of U.S. Southern Command retired at the end of last year.

There is an effort by some, including Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen.

Dan Caine, to obtain a waiver so Donahue can retire as a four-star general. He was promoted to that rank in December 2024, which under federal code requires a presidential waiver because he served fewer than three years in the grade.