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Senior US General in Europe set to retire amid Hegseth’s review of US support for NATO allies
By CNN Newsource at KVIA ABC-7
· June 24, 2026
· 6 min read
By Haley Britzky, Zachary Cohen, Davis Winkie, CNN
(CNN) — A highly respected four-star Army general is stepping down from his post commanding soldiers in Europe and is slated to retire as he has thus far not been nominated for a new job consistent with his rank by Defense Secretary Pete Hegset...
Key takeaway Christopher Donahue, commander of US Army Europe and Africa, is relinquishing command on July 2, a US Army spokeswoman confirmed to CNN.
Why this matters in The El Paso
The retirement of Gen. Christopher Donahue, a highly respected four-star Army general, may have implications for El Paso 's military community, given the city's strong ties to Fort Bliss, a major US Army post. As the commander of US Army Europe and Africa, Donahue's experience and expertise may have influenced the training and deployment of soldiers stationed at Fort Bliss, which is home to the 1st Armored Division and other units that have deployed to Europe and Africa. The planned reduction in required rank for Donahue's former command from a four-star to a three-star general may also have a ripple effect on the military leadership structure, potentially impacting the careers of officers stationed at Fort Bliss. El Paso residents with ties to the military may be watching Donahue's retirement and the subsequent changes in US Army Europe and Africa's command structure with interest, given the potential implications for the local military community.
About this story
Original reporting by KVIA ABC-7 . The El Paso 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 KVIA ABC-7 . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 24, 2026 ·
Source: KVIA ABC-7 ·
Reading time: 6 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? By Haley Britzky, Zachary Cohen, Davis Winkie, CNN
(CNN) — A highly respected four-star Army general is stepping down from his post commanding soldiers in Europe and is slated to retire as he has thus far not been nominated for a new job consistent with his rank by Defense Secretary Pete Hegset...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 24, 2026 by KVIA ABC-7 and curated for The El Paso readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by CNN Newsource at KVIA ABC-7. To learn more about how The El Paso selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The El Paso, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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