The U.S. Army Europe and Africa community welcomed its new commander, Gen. Christopher Donahue, during a change of command ceremony today on Clay Kaserne, Wiesbaden, Germany.
Gen. Darryl Williams, the outgoing U.S. Army Europe and Africa commander, relinquished command of the organization to Donahue in a ceremony officiated by U.S. Army Gen. Christopher Cavoli, the U.S. European Command commanding general and Supreme Allied Commander Europe for NATO, and U.S. Marine Corps Gen. Michael Langley, Commander of U.S. Africa Command.
Gen. Donahue’s assumption of command of USAREUR-AF marks a return to Europe, as he previously served as the commander of the 82nd Airborne Division and, later, 18th Airborne Corps as they deployed to Europe as part of USAREUR-AF’s initial response to Russia's illegal full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
“Chris is without a doubt the most experienced warfighter we have in the U.S. Army: more than 20 deployments covering literally every single named operation—combat or otherwise—that we have been in in the last 30 years,” said Cavoli. “In advancing peace through strength, he’s one of our finest officers. He’s intimately familiar with the war in Ukraine and he has established relationships with NATO Allies in both combat and during our deterrence activities here in Europe.”
As commander of USAREUR-AF, Donahue will take on the unique task of leading the Army’s only service component command that campaigns on two continents. Langley noted that Donahue’s experience extends to Africa as well, highlighting when Donahue deployed 18th Airborne Corps’ expeditionary headquarters to assist AFRICOM in the evacuation of U.S., NATO and partner citizens during Sudan’s recent crisis.
“Chris, you came in and you set the stage, you responded to crisis, because that’s when America needed us most," Langley said. “You came into town, came into Stuttgart with your staff, ready and prepared—we got American citizens out. You were the most ready when our nation was the least ready.”
Donahue takes command as USAREUR-AF leads the effort to transform formations in contact, getting capabilities into Soldiers’ hands quicker than ever, a key focus of the Army, even as it continues efforts to conduct NATO convergence. Donahue said the combined efforts have created an “inflection point,” a position of strength for USAREUR-AF, its Allies and partners.
“We have to take advantage of this. We have to exploit it,” Donahue said. “We have to out-think, innovate, adapt, and work any potential adversary to make sure we have true deterrence and, if required, fight and win, as decisively and quickly as possible.”
Williams, who will officially retire from the Army early next year, praised both U.S. and NATO Soldiers for their efforts toward NATO convergence and thanked African partners for their continued and growing commitment to mutual understanding. He expressed special respect for the efforts of the Ukrainian people who have fought against Russian aggression for nearly three years.
“I have been humbled by the sacrifice of the Ukrainian people and am grateful for the space and time they have given us to enhance our preparations to face down those who would wish to further undermine the peace and stability in Europe and beyond,” Williams said. “We have not—and will not—waste this sacrifice or the hard-won lessons.”
Donahue will also assume command of NATO’s Allied Land Forces Command in Izmir, Türkiye. This unique role helps facilitate deeper integration of U.S. and NATO forces in support of NATO regional defense plans.
The full change of command can be viewed here: https://www.dvidshub.net/webcast/35568
For more information on U.S. Army Europe and Africa, visit our website at https://www.europeafrica.army.mil/
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