BRIGADE COMMANDER BECOMES VICE CHIEF OF STAFF INDIANAPOLIS – Indiana National Guard Adjutant General, Maj. Gen. R. Martin Umbarger, is pleased to announce the selection of Col. Ron Westfall as the vice chief of staff for the Indiana National Guard effective Aug. 18, 2014. Westfall, a resident of Mooresville, Ind., and the 76th Infantry Brigade Combat Team commander, commissioned into the Indiana National Guard in June 1986. Westfall has deployed three times: to Iraq in 2008 as the 1st Battalion, 151st Infantry Regiment commander; to Iraq in 2003 as the executive officer with 1st Battalion, 293rd Infantry Regiment; and to Bosnia in 2002 as the Camp McGovern force protection officer. “I am truly honored and humbled to be selected by the adjutant general to serve our Indiana National Guard men and women in the role of vice chief of staff. I understand how complex this role is and the importance of this position as I advise and assist the adjutant general and director of the joint staff in managing the many varied functions and responsibilities within Joint Force Headquarters,” said Westfall. Westfall also serves the Indiana National Guard as the director of strategic initiatives as full-time, federal technician. “Ron is an outstanding professional with 35 years of military experience. He is savvy and has exceptional understanding of complex and sophisticated operations,” said Umbarger. “He has been and will continue to be a great asset to the Indiana National Guard, our state and nation.” Westfall will be responsible for advising and assisting the Joint Force Headquarters staff as he succeeds Col. Todd Townsend in the role of vice chief of staff. Townsend will retire effective Nov. 1, 2014. Townsend enlisted into the Indiana National Guard in 1978, and he earned his commission from the Indiana Military Academy in 1981. “The Indiana National Guard has been my life for 36 years since I joined at age 17. I am forever grateful to the incredible leaders and soldiers Ive had the opportunity to serve with and to my family who has also served by my side. There is no finer or more professional organization than the Indiana National Guard,” said Townsend. Townsend served within the Indiana Army National Guard in myriad roles and positions. Highlights include the 1996 Summer Olympic Games in Atlanta, the 2001 38th Infantry Division warfighter exercise, Hurricane Katrina relief efforts in 2005, state aviation officer from 2002 to 2006 and the Camp Atterbury commander from January 2009 to March 2012 when he assumed the duties of vice chief of staff. Townsend also deployed to Iraq with the 76th Infantry Brigade Combat Team in 2008. “I join all the members of the Indiana National Guard in thanking Todd for his many years of faithful service to community, state and nation,” said Umbarger. “His guidance and commitment to our soldiers and airmen will be missed.”
Posted on: Thu, 24 Jul 2014 21:51:05 +0000
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