Lt. Gen. Stanley Clarke III, head of the Air National Guard, plans to retire, the service confirmed to Air Force Times on Thursday.

The general is expected to make a statement this week or next on his decision, said Maj. Randy Saldivar, ANG spokesman. Pentagon officials are currently discussing who might succeed him.

Clarke has been ANG director since March 2013. He also served as deputy director from May 2007 to June 2008 before moving to other assignments, Pentagon records show.

As head of ANG, Clarke is responsible for coordinating all the planning, training and supplying for Air National Guard components across the states. He oversees roughly 105,700 Guard members, the Pentagon said.

In a September interview with Air Force Times, Clarke said he hopes both Guardsmen and potential recruits know their families, communities and nation are grateful for their service.

"I can't think of a finer way to serve if you're going to be in a reserve component than to be a part of a mission set that allows you to be of value to something at home and then when the nation needs you, you can do it overseas too," he said. "If you want to have that pride instilled in you, you might want to think about service in the Guard."

Clarke is a trained pilot on the A-10, C-26 and F-16, and has flown more than 100 combat hours including serving during Operation Iraqi Freedom.

He received his commission in June 1981 and was promoted to lieutenant general in 2011, personnel records show. Clarke has also received the Distinguished Service Medal and Bronze Star.

Share:
In Other News
Load More