SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO.com) -- A Sioux Falls guardsman is the new assistant adjutant general for the South Dakota Air National Guard.
Brig. Gen. Russ Walz assumed his new duties June 3.
The South Dakota National Guard's news release with more details is below.
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SIOUX FALLS - Brig. Gen. Russ Walz assumed duties as the assistant adjutant general for the South Dakota Air National Guard, during a transfer of authority ceremony at Joe Foss Field in Sioux Falls, June 3.
Maj. Gen. Tim Reisch, SDNG adjutant general, presided over the ceremony where Walz assumed authority as the assistant adjutant from Brig. Gen. Joel DeGroot, who served in the position since March 2017.
DeGroot will now be the chief of staff, Headquarters, SDANG.Walz is now responsible to the adjutant general for strategic planning, strength management, Airmen readiness and mobilization support of the state's nearly 1,100 Air National Guard Airmen.
After the transfer of authority, Walz addressed members of the 114th Fighter Wing.
"It's truly an honor to be representing this unit in the new capacity as the assistant adjutant general and it's a big honor to represent the state of South Dakota," Walz said. "It's an honor and blessing to represent the 1,093 men and women who are unbelievable professionals."
"I look forward to seeing Airmen in action doing amazing things and being here from the headquarters perspective to help you push your mission," Walz added.
During the ceremony, Reisch commented on DeGroot's time as assistant adjutant."He has done a fantastic job over the last year," said Reisch, "He stepped into leadership right away." Reisch also commented on how DeGroot stepped up as a regional leader for the JDEC (Joint Diversity Executive Committee) nationally, which he stated was an amazing achievement for a new general.
Reisch spoke about Walz's leadership by saying, "He's the type of guy people like to work with and work for."
Reisch said that the 10 years Walz served as the 114th commander, followed by two years at state headquarters, make him a perfect fit for this job.Prior to taking on this new position, Walz served as director of joint staff, Joint Force Headquarters, SDNG, and SDANG chief of staff.
He primarily served as the principal advisor to the adjutant general on all joint issues and policies relating to defense support to civil authorities and homeland defense programs.
Walz enlisted in the SDANG in 1980. He later commissioned at the Academy of Military Science in Knoxville, Tennessee, in 1989, earning distinguished graduate honors. He completed undergraduate pilot training at Columbus Air Force Base, Mississippi. Walz assumed the position of director of joint staff in May 2016, having held previous command positions at the flight, squadron, group and wing levels.
He is a command pilot with over 3,700 total fighter hours, including 70 combat hours enforcing no-fly zones over southern and northern Iraq.