WASHINGTON (Realist English). On July 23, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced the nomination of Lieutenant General Kevin D. Admiral to command US Army Europe and Africa (USAREUR-AF).
If confirmed by the Senate, Admiral will replace General Christopher Donahue, who unexpectedly left the post in early July after just 18 months in the position.
Lieutenant General Admiral currently commands III Armored Corps and Fort Hood in Texas. His nomination was submitted by President Donald Trump. If confirmed, he will also assume command of NATO’s Allied Land Command, whose area of responsibility covers 104 countries.
Change of Command Amid Personnel Shifts
The departure of General Donahue, who was called the “last soldier to leave Afghanistan” in 2021, came as a surprise to many. His resignation occurred amid a major shake-up in the Pentagon’s senior leadership, initiated by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
Since taking office, Hegseth has forced out more than a dozen senior military officers, including former Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman General CQ Brown and former Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Lisa Franchetti.
Donahue’s supporters claimed he was effectively pushed out, though the Defense Department has not publicly commented on the circumstances of his departure. Since early July, Major General Christopher Norrie has been serving as acting commander of USAREUR-AF.
Command Downgraded to Three-Star Level
Admiral’s nomination is accompanied by his reappointment as a lieutenant general (three-star general). This follows the Pentagon’s decision to downgrade the USAREUR-AF headquarters to a three-star command level, even though the post had previously been held by four-star generals. The move is part of Hegseth’s broader policy to reduce the number of senior officer positions in the Pentagon.
Combat Record and Experience of the New Commander
Lieutenant General Admiral has extensive combat experience. He commanded the 1st Cavalry Division during its deployment to Poland. Previously, he served as Director of Force Management in the Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff of the Army for Operations, Plans, and Training (G-3/5/7).
Admiral has served in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Europe. His awards include the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star, and the Purple Heart.
Challenges Ahead: War in Europe and NATO Frictions
The new commander will take charge of USAREUR-AF during a period of significant challenges. The US Army in Europe is undergoing a transition amid adjustments to US troop numbers on the continent. The Pentagon has cancelled the deployment of an armored brigade from Fort Hood to Poland while simultaneously reducing its presence in Germany by approximately 5,000 personnel.
USAREUR-AF is involved in strengthening NATO’s eastern flank and training allies on integrating drones into tactics. The command’s area of responsibility has already suffered losses: on July 19, two soldiers from the 57th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, stationed in Ansbach, Germany, were killed in an Iranian missile strike on Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan.
Lieutenant General Admiral’s nomination now awaits Senate confirmation. If approved, he will become the fourth permanent commander of USAREUR-AF since the two commands were merged in 2020.
