The commanding general of the US Army in Europe and Africa is stepping down.

Key Points:

• Gen. Christopher Donahue, commanding general of U.S. Army forces in Europe and Africa and NATO's Allied Land Command, will step down on July 2, with Maj. Gen. Christopher Norrie set to succeed him.
• Donahue's retirement was requested by War Secretary Pete Hegseth, who is aiming to reduce the number of generals and focus on increasing enlisted personnel, making Donahue the latest of over two dozen military leaders to leave early under Hegseth's tenure.
• Donahue is notably recognized as the last U.S. soldier to leave Afghanistan in 2021, overseeing the evacuation of approximately 124,000 Afghan citizens despite criticisms of the broader withdrawal strategy.
• As a seasoned special operations commander and West Point graduate, Donahue played a key role in coordinating military aid to Ukraine following Russia's 2022 invasion and is considered an expert on drone warfare within the Army.
• His departure coincides with discussions about downgrading U.S. Army Europe and Africa from a four-star to a three-star command, part of a six-month review led by Hegseth aimed at shifting primary defense responsibility to European NATO allies.