(2/3/10) -- Two states with a large National Guard presence have appointed a new adjutant general this week. In California, Air Force Brig. Gen. Mary J. Kight will took command as the 45th adjutant general of the state in a change of command ceremony at the Mather Field Armory in Sacramento Feb. 2.
In New York, Army Brig. Gen. Patrick Murphy was announced as the 52nd adjutant general for the nation's eighth largest National Guard today.
Kight took over for Army Maj. General William H. Wade II, who relinquished command after nearly five years as the adjutant general of the California National Guard. He will serve as the director of operations for the Allied Joint Force Command in Naples, Italy.
“Brigadier General Mary Kight is a proven, courageous, loyal and honorable leader. She has a long and distinguished history of service to our state and nation and I am proud to have her as the first female adjutant general of our military forces here in California,” said California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. “I am confident that with her leadership, the California National Guard will continue to be fully prepared, standing ready and able to assist our local communities and our country when called upon in times of emergency.”
According to a press release, Kight has broken many barriers since entering military service October 19, 1973 as an Air Force second lieutenant. She was the California National Guard’s first female African American general officer and first female assistant adjutant general and is now the country’s first female African American state adjutant general.
“I whole-heartedly share in the governor’s commitment to public safety and ensuring that our armed forces are well-trained and equipped to provide support and assistance here in California and abroad at a moment’s notice,” said Kight. “I am honored to take on this new position serving the California National Guard as adjutant general and I look forward to using my knowledge and experience to uphold California’s military forces’ outstanding legacy of service.”
The California National Guard is an all-volunteer, operational force comprised of more than 22,000 Soldiers and Airmen. These citizen-Soldiers and Airmen have kept watch over California during times of need since their inception in 1849. More recently, the California National Guard has supported first responders during civil-support operations such as wildfires, floods and search and rescue.
Murphy, a former Iowa National Guardsman who currently serves as assistant adjutant general and the director of Joint Staff for New York, will replace Army Maj. Gen. Joseph Taluto, who will retire on Feb. 14 after 44 years of service.
"Brigadier General Murphy is an outstanding officer who brings with him a wealth of experience integrating the National Guard and active military components into State emergency and security planning, homeland defense, and anti-terrorism activities," said New York Gov. David A. Paterson. "He has played a critical role in the New York National Guard's response to flooding in Western New York, providing emergency aid to other states, and refocusing the National Guard's Joint Task Force Empire Shield into a more capable security force in New York City."
A 32-year veteran of the Army National Guard, Murphy has been responsible for the New York National Guard's state emergency and homeland security operations.
"I am honored by Governor Paterson's decision to select me to replace Major General Taluto," Murphy said. "I appreciate his confidence in me, and I look forward to working with the men and women of the New York Military Forces to continue to improve our abilities to respond when called upon by the people of New York and our nation."
As adjutant general, he will be responsible for ensuring that the 16,500 members of the New York Army and Air National Guard are prepared to deploy in combat zones on federal missions and prepared to respond to state emergencies. He will also oversee the 2,500 members of the New York Naval Militia and the 700-member New York Guard, a state-only volunteer force.
Murphy has served at Joint Forces Command and Joint Task Force - Civil Support, based at Fort Monroe, Virginia, and Northern Command in Colorado Springs, Colo.
After leaving Kuwait in 2007, Murphy joined the New York Army National Guard. He was recruited by Taluto because of his experience in homeland defense and security. Taluto felt that New York, and especially New York City was a likely terrorist target, and he wanted the New York National Guard to be ready.
Since then Murphy's role has been to ensure that contingency plans are in place to deploy New York Military Forces assets in support of State and domestic emergencies, oversee the National Guard's role in State Homeland security efforts, and manage joint Army and Air National Guard functions within the state's Joint Forces Headquarters. He has been responsible for coordinating with other state agencies, federal organizations and industry.
Other recent appointments to adjutant general include Air Force Brig. Gen. Gary Sayler in Idaho and Army Brig. Gen. Max Haston in Tennessee.
(Editor's Note: Eric Durr of the New York National Guard contributed to this report.)
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