Maj. Gen. Rick Nash becomes Minnesota's 30th Adjutant General
Maj. Gen. Rick Nash was sworn in as the 30th Adjutant General of the Minnesota National Guard by Governor Tim Pawlenty during a ceremony in the Capitol Rotunda Nov. 1, 2010. Nash succeeds Lt. Gen. (Brevet) Larry W. Shellito.
The Adjutant General is the administrative head of the Minnesota Department of Military Affairs and the leader of the Minnesota National Guard. Minnesota has the nation's fifth largest National Guard, with more than 14,000 members operating in 63 facilities throughout the state. Since 2003, the Minnesota National Guard has deployed more than 18,000 Citizen-Soldiers and Airmen in support of military operations around the world. The Guard also assists local authorities during natural disasters at the direction of the Governor.
Nash recently returned from Iraq as the commander of the 34th Red Bull Infantry Division headquartered in Rosemount. He led more than 1,200 Citizen-Soldiers representing 273 Minnesota communities and 14 states who deployed with the Red Bulls during a historic 12-month deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2009 and 2010. The Red Bulls provided command and control of military forces in the southern third of Iraq and led a force of approximately 14,000 U.S. Service members throughout nine of Iraq's 18 provinces.
“I am 100% confident that as he assumes the role of Adjutant General, that our Minnesota National Guard will remain the best National Guard in this country,” said Governor Pawlenty.
Nash's military service began when he was drafted into the Army in 1972. Prior to his current assignment, Nash served as Special Assistant to the Combatant Commander, North American Aerospace Command, United States Northern Command. He also served as the commanding general for the Minnesota National Guard's peacekeeping deployment to Bosnia in 2003-2004. More than 1,100 members of the Minnesota Army National Guard were deployed in support of the mission.
Nash had a successful 32-year career in the construction industry as well as continuing a successful military career as a traditional Guardsman in the Minnesota National Guard. He has been awarded 10 patents as the sole or co-inventor of manufacturing equipment that has revolutionized the process of producing pre-stress concrete construction components.
Nash earned his Bachelor of Science degree from Mankato State University and graduated from the Army War College. Originally from Jordan, Nash and his wife Jeanette now reside in New Prague. They have a son, Ryan, and daughter, Kelly.
“I am committed to build upon the solid foundation already in place,” said Nash.
Approximately 2,700 Minnesota National Guard Soldiers will deploy for operations throughout Kuwait and Iraq in 2011. The Department of Defense announced earlier this year that the Minnesota Army National Guard's Bloomington-based 1st Brigade Combat Team, 34th Infantry Division, has been alerted to prepare for a deployment in support of Operation New Dawn, the drawdown phase of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Photo and story by Minnesota National Guard Public Affairs
1 Nov. 2010
|
|
|
|
|
Latest News
Minn. National Guard launches its $3.9 million drone facility
Posted: 2013-05-18 05:10 AM
By Pat Pheifer
The (Minneapolis, Minn.) Star Tribune
Published: May 18, 2013
CAMP RIPLEY, Minn. -- The Shadow, an unmanned aerial vehicle commonly known as a drone, roars to life on the video screen like a powerful snowmobile before it's launched into the skies on a catapult.
Unfortunately, weather conditions prevented the real thing from taking flight Friday morning as the Minnesota National Guard officially launched its new $3.9 million Unmanned Aircraft Operations Facility.
Minn. National Guard helping to fight wildfire
Posted: 2013-05-15 11:12 AM
Published 1:22 pm, Wednesday, May 15, 2013
MENAHGA, Minn. (AP) — Crews from the Minnesota National Guard are helping to suppress a wildfire near the northwestern Minnesota town of Menahga.
Army Maj. Bruce A. Kraemer says 22 soldiers are on active duty Wednesday to help fight the fire, including air crews and support teams.
Operation Agriculture: Minnesota Guard assists Afghan farmers
Posted: 2013-05-15 08:08 AM
Agricultural Development Teams deploy farming experts to help rebuild Afghanistan's war torn food system.
When most National Guard units prepare to deploy to Afghanistan, they focus on tactical training--land navigation, weapons skills, working with interpreters, counter-IED techniques, basic first aid.
But Colonel Eric Ahlness, commander of the Minnesota National Guard's Zabul Agribusiness Development Team, or ADT, brought his unit to an Amish farm.
Article archive
|
|
