Maine Air National Guard Commander Announces Retirement

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Brig. Gen. Donald McCormick, Maine’s Assistant Adjutant General, Air, retired this past weekend after more than 32 years of dedicated service.

AUGUSTA, ME (11/05/2012)(readMedia)-- Brig. Gen. Donald McCormack, from Windham, Maine, retired as Maine's Assistant Adjutant General, Air, a position he has held since April 2011.

McCormack's retirement marks the end of more than three decades of decorated military service and leadership in Maine and around the world.

McCormack graduated from the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo., in 1980, receiving a commission as a second lieutenant. After completing undergraduate helicopter pilot training at Fort Rucker, Ala., he was assigned to Fairchild AFB, Wash.

A senior helicopter pilot, McCormack logged more than 2,500 hours in a variety of helicopters and is credited with saving 18 lives.

Over the course of his career, McCormack held numerous flying and operations assignments and has held squadron and state command positions.

"Brig. Gen. Don McCormack has had a 32-year career of service to the state and the nation that has been characterized by his trademark combination of drive, focus on issues deeply important to our units and Airmen, and an unwavering commitment to excellence," said Brig. Gen. James D. Campbell, The Adjutant General, for Maine. "He will be greatly missed, but he leaves the Maine Air National Guard with a legacy that has made the 'Maineiacs' a superb organization far above any of their peers across the nation."

Campbell stressed the Maine National Guard was fortunate McCormack will continue to serve the people of Maine in state government as the Director of the Bureau of General Services.

At his formal retirement ceremony at the Augusta State Armory, McCormack pointed to the Air Force's Core Values of Integrity First, Service before Self and Excellence in All We Do as being the driving force in his service.

He highlighted specific events, one in 1996, when the Presumpscot River in Westbrook flooded, and his Airman assisted the Red Cross in establishing shelters at Westbrook High School and his first rescue mission as a medivac pilot.

"We have Air Guard members in Manhattan now, responding to their flooding," McCormack said. "Your service as Air National Guard members is honorable. You can be proud of yourselves and your willingness to serve others in need. Because of your service, citizens of Maine are safer; because of your service, our country is stronger."

Col. John Derrico, currently the Commander of the 101st Air Refueling Wing, the busiest air refueling wing in the Air National Guard, will be promoted to Brigadier General and become the Maine's Assistant Adjutant General, Air.