U.S. Army Removes Gen. Christopher Donahue from Europe and Africa Command

U.S. Army Gen. Christopher Donahue relinquished command of U.S. Army Europe and Africa on Thursday in Wiesbaden, Germany. The change followed his ouster last month by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Donahue, 56, had held the post for 18 months.

The Army has not given a reason for the leadership change. Maj. Gen. Christopher Norrie will serve as acting commander until the Senate confirms a successor nominated by the president. Donahue is a West Point graduate who previously led the XVIII Airborne Corps and the 82nd Airborne Division.

In 2021 he oversaw the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. A night-vision image of him boarding the final C-17 out of Kabul became an emblematic photograph of that war. “I love this team — it has been the honor of a lifetime to be a part of it,” Donahue said.