• General Christopher Donahue, last to leave Afghanistan, resigns after 18 months as commander.
• He is one of nearly two dozen military leaders leaving under Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
• Discussion is underway about downgrading the command structure of U.S. Army Europe and Africa.

General Christopher Donahue, known for being the last American soldier to leave Afghanistan in 2021, will step down from his position as commander of U.S. Army forces in Europe and Africa on July 2, after just 18 months in this role. His resignation marks him as one of nearly two dozen senior military officials to depart early under the leadership of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who focuses on reducing the number of high-ranking officers with the mantra "less generals, more GIs," according to Indiatimes, Los Angeles Times, and South China Morning Post.

Donahue’s deputy, Major General Christopher Norrie, will act as the interim leader following his departure. A graduate of the U.S. Military Academy and a distinguished career officer, Donahue previously commanded Delta Force units in both Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as the 82nd Airborne Division. His leadership was pivotal during the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, particularly in restoring security at Hamid Karzai International Airport, according to Indiatimes and Los Angeles Times.

In an iconic moment on August 30, 2021, Donahue was captured boarding the last C-17 cargo plane to leave Afghanistan, marking the end of nearly two decades of military involvement following the September 11 attacks. His leadership during this critical operation received bipartisan praise, and he was frequently mentioned as a candidate for higher roles within the military, such as Army chief of staff or chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, according to South China Morning Post.

The impending change in leadership aligns with ongoing discussions about potentially downgrading U.S. Army Europe and Africa from a four-star to a three-star command. This consideration arises amid continued criticism from Hegseth regarding European allies and operational effectiveness within NATO, as he prepares to conduct a review of American forces in Europe, which he claims is essential for ensuring allied responsibilities are met, according to Los Angeles Times and South China Morning Post.