1st female commander takes over Guard post - Air Force News | News from Afghanistan & Iraq - Air Force Times

1st female commander takes over Guard post

NEW CASTLE, Del. — The Delaware Air National Guard has installed its first female commander.

Fifty-four-year-old Brig. Gen. Carol Timmons became the new assistant adjutant general of the National Guard on Sunday. Timmons is a 34-year military veteran who has flown aircraft into Iraq and Afghanistan war zones.

Timmons said during the change of command ceremony that the 1,000-member National Guard needs to work on recruiting and retention and invited members to suggest changes to the organization.

Timmons succeeds Brig. Gen. J. Wayne Merritt, who recently turned 62 and was forced to retire after more than four decades of military service. Merritt had been the National Guard's top commander since September 2010.