Last soldier out of Afghanistan now the latest general to step down
Source: Task & Purpose
Loading...Strong SignalCredibility: 81%
Report Content
Gen. Christopher Donahue, the top Army general in Europe and Africa, will be stepping down. The news was first reported by The Atlantic’s Nancy A. Youssef and Missy Ryan.
A source familiar with the matter confirmed to Task & Purpose that Donahue will soon relinquish command of U.S. Army Europe and Africa, which is expected to announce the move on Wednesday. Donahue took over the top role at the command in December 2024.
Though the revelation may have been sudden, the move wasn’t without foreshadowing.
Since Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth assumed his current role in January 2025, a number of generals and admirals have been fired or abruptly announced their decision to retire, including former Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George, whom Hegseth asked to retire earlier this year.
Other departures include former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Air Force Gen. Charles “CQ” Brown Jr., former Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Lisa Franchetti, former Air Force Vice Chief of Staff Gen. James Slife, Air Force Lt. Gen. Jeffrey Kruse, then serving as director of the Defense Intelligence Agency and Navy Vice Adm. Shoshana Chatfield, who was serving as U.S. representative to the NATO Military Committee.
More recently, former Navy Secretary John Phelan abruptly left his role in April.
Top Stories This Week
Last month, Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) appeared to voice concern that Donahue’s ouster may be on the horizon, writing on social media that, “If the rumors are true that Hegseth is trying to sideline General Chris Donahue, one of our nation’s finest warfighters, by downgrading U.S. Army Europe-Africa to a 3-star command, he is taking another step down a dangerous path.”
During the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021, Donahue was photographed boarding the final C-17 out of Hamid Karzai International Airport — and widely described as the “last soldier” out of Afghanistan. As Task & Purpose previously reported, Donahue spent the majority of his career leading ground combat troops.
As Task & Purpose previously reported,
Donahue’s decision to be the last service member to leave Afghanistan was part of the Army’s officer and leader culture, according to David Cotter, director of the military history department at the United States Army Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.
“In a field or combat environment, for example, the commander eats last, after all the soldiers have been fed,” Cotter told Task & Purpose in 2021. “Similarly, the commander’s tank is the last to cross back into friendly areas when executing a rearward passage of lines.”
The post Last soldier out of Afghanistan now the latest general to step down appeared first on Task & Purpose.
Classification
Region
Europe, Africa
Analytical Domain
Operational
Primary Category / Secondary Categories
Command & Control / Political-Military
SALUTE Report
Size
Not specified
Activity
General Christopher Donahue is stepping down from his position as the top Army general in Europe and Africa.
Location
Europe · Africa
Unit
U.S. Army Europe and Africa
Time
Expected announcement on Wednesday
Equipment
-
Summary
General Christopher Donahue is set to step down from his role as the top Army general in Europe and Africa, with an announcement expected on Wednesday. This follows a series of leadership changes initiated by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, raising concerns about the future of military command structure. Donahue, known for being the last soldier to leave Afghanistan, has been in command since December 2024.
Key Facts
- General Christopher Donahue will step down as the top Army general in Europe and Africa.
- The announcement is expected on Wednesday.
- Donahue was the last soldier to leave Afghanistan in 2021.
- Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has overseen multiple leadership changes in the military.
- Concerns have been raised about the implications of Donahue's ouster.