US Army Gen. Chris Donahue, four-star commander of US Army Europe and Africa, is set to enter early retirement as part of a reported overhaul of military leadership, according to media reports.
Donahue, a highly decorated special forces veteran, gained global recognition as the final American service member to depart Afghanistan during the 2021 withdrawal, the Financial Times reported on Tuesday.
The abrupt departure coincides with the Pentagon's plan to downgrade the European command from a four-star to a three-star post, according to ABC News.
Leadership overhaul
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, a vocal critic of the 2021 Afghanistan exit, previously ordered an investigation into the circumstances of the withdrawal.
Donahue’s retirement follows an 18-month pattern of dismissals targeting top brass, including former Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. CQ Brown and Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George.
The ongoing restructuring has also resulted in the removal of other high-ranking officials such as Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Lisa Franchetti and National Security Agency Director Gen. Timothy Haugh.
Lt. Gen. Kevin Admiral, commander of the Army’s III Armored Corps, is expected to take over the role in July, ABC News reported.
The Pentagon has not yet made a formal announcement.
