Walz promoted to Brig. Gen.

Brig. Gen. Russ A. Walz, former 114th Fighter Wing commander, relinquished command of the Fighter Wing and was recognized for his promotion to Brigadier General during a ceremony at Joe Foss Field, S.D. May 1, 2016. Walz will begin his new position as Director of Joint Staff, Joint Force Headquarters, South Dakota National Guard and South Dakota Air National Guard Chief of Staff May 1, 2016. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Luke Olson/released)

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Walz promoted to Brig. Gen.

Published May 3, 2016
By Tech. Sgt. Abbey Rotter
114th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. -- The promotion of Brig. Gen. Russ A. Walz, Director of Joint Staff, South Dakota National Guard, was recognized during a ceremony held at Joe Foss Field, S.D. May 1, 2016. Walz will serve dual positions as the Director of Joint Staff, South Dakota National Guard and the HQ's South Dakota Air National Guard Chief of Staff. Walz has served with the unit since 1980. He enlisted in the unit and served as an enlisted fire protection specialist prior to being commissioned as a pilot, flying both the A-7D and F-16C aircraft. Other assignments in his career include; 114th Maintenance Group assistant deputy commander, commander of the 114th Operations Support Flight, 175th Fighter Squadron, and the 114th Operations Group. Walz served as the 114th Fighter Wing commander for the past 10 years and has the distinction of serving as the Wing commander for the second longest term in the unit's history.