MediaAdvisory: Leader of over 1,000 troops of Delaware Air National Guard takes command in Sunday ceremony -- Delaware Guard to appoint first female Assistant Adjutant General

On Sunday, January 8, the Delaware National Guard will host a change of command ceremony for the Delaware Air National Guard at its base in New Castle.

The ceremony begins at 2:00 p.m. but media should report to the main gate (located at 2600 Spruance Drive, New Castle, DE, 19720) for escort by 1:30 p.m.

The change of command will be for the Assistant Adjutant General, Air, who leads over 1,000 Delaware Air Guardsmen and advises the Adjutant General on all matters relating to the equipping, training, and personnel of the Delaware Air National Guard.

Sunday's ceremony will see the passing of command from retiring Brig. Gen. Wayne Merritt to Brig. Gen. Carol Timmons. Hundreds of Airmen will be in formation viewing.

This is another first for the Delaware Guard and for Gen. Timmons, who was the first female pilot and the first female general officer in the Delaware National Guard. She has been inducted into the Delaware Women's Hall of Fame and the Delaware Aviation Hall of Fame.

Brigadier Gen. Timmons has 34 years of military service, has served in multiple combat zones, and has commanded U.S. forces overseas. She became a helicopter pilot in the Delaware Army National Guard, flying UH-1 Huey's, then become a fixed-wing pilot in the Air Force Reserve. She has spent most of her military career piloting C-130 Hercules aircraft, including during Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom.

General Timmons is a resident of Rehoboth Beach, Del. and flies Boeing 767 and 757 commercial passenger airplanes for United Airlines.

"I am very pleased to appoint Gen. Timmons to this auspicious leadership position. Carol has proven experience, dedication, and commitment to our Delaware National Guard," says Maj. Gen. Frank Vavala, Adjutant General.

Outgoing Assistant Adjutant General, Air, Brig. Gen. Wayne Merritt took the position in September 2010. This position is the pinnacle of his career as he retires upon the change of command.

General Merritt enlisted in the Delaware Air National Guard in January 1969 and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in 1982. He served in multiple roles as a logistics officer. He commanded the 166th Aerial Port Flight and the 166th Logistics Squadron, and served as Director of Support for the Delaware Air National Guard.

Brigadier Gen. Merritt resides in Hockessin, Del. and serves as the Senior Manager of Operations for New Castle County Special Services.

"It has been a distinct pleasure to work with such a great leader and Airman in General Merritt. His devotion to the Guard and the Airmen he led was always evident. I wish him all the best in his well-deserved retirement," says Gen. Vavala.

FOR MORE INFORMATION - contact Nathan Bright at 302-379-9062

Delaware National Guard
First Regiment Road
Wilmington, DE 19808

Contact: 1st Lt. Nathan Bright - Deputy Public Affairs Officer, Delaware National Guard
Phone: 302-379-9062
Email: nathan.bright@us.army.mil

Thursday, January 05, 2012

- XXX -