- General Christopher Donahue, commander of U.S. Army forces in Europe and Africa, is unexpectedly stepping down on July 2 after 18 months in his role.
- Donahue is famously known as the last American soldier to depart Afghanistan in 2021, a moment captured in an iconic night-vision photograph.
- His departure is part of a trend under Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who advocates for streamlining senior military ranks and has seen nearly two dozen top leaders retire or leave early.
- An Army official indicated Donahue's exit aligns with internal discussions about potentially downgrading the US Army Europe and Africa Command from a four-star to a three-star position.
- Hegseth recently announced a six-month Pentagon review of American forces in Europe, urging NATO allies to take primary responsibility for the continent's defense.
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