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Top Army general who was last US soldier to leave Afghanistan is suddenly leaving his post
By Konstantin Toropin, Associated Press at KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate)
· June 24, 2026
· 3 min read
The Army's commander of its forces in Europe and Africa — who was famously the last American soldier to leave Afghanistan in 2021 — is unexpectedly stepping down from his post after just 18 months in the job, the Army confirmed late Tuesday.Gen. Christopher Donahue, commanding general of U.S. Arm...
Key takeaway Army Europe and Africa and commander of NATO’s Allied Land Command, will relinquish his command on July 2, according to an Army statement provided to The Associated Press.
Why this matters in The San Antonio
The sudden departure of Gen. Christopher Donahue from his post as commander of U.S. Army Europe and Africa may have implications for San Antonio , given the city's significant military presence. As home to several major military installations, including those with ties to U.S. Army Europe and Africa, San Antonio's military community may be affected by the change in leadership. Donahue's experience in special operations and his role in the withdrawal from Afghanistan have likely been of interest to local military personnel and veterans, who may be watching to see how his departure impacts the military's operations and priorities. The fact that Donahue's deputy, Maj. Gen. Christopher Norrie, will assume his duties in the interim may provide some stability, but the long-term effects of Donahue's departure on San Antonio's military landscape remain to be seen. Local military leaders and personnel may be awaiting further guidance on how this change will impact their work and the city's military community.
About this story
Original reporting by KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) . The San Antonio surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 24, 2026 ·
Source: KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) ·
Reading time: 3 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? The Army's commander of its forces in Europe and Africa — who was famously the last American soldier to leave Afghanistan in 2021 — is unexpectedly stepping down from his post after just 18 months in the job, the Army confirmed late Tuesday.Gen. Christopher Donahue, commanding general of U.S. Arm...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 24, 2026 by KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) and curated for The San Antonio readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Konstantin Toropin, Associated Press at KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate). To learn more about how The San Antonio selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The San Antonio, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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