The Idaho National Guard will hold a change of command ceremony this Tuesday, June 25 at 10 a.m. Mountain Time at Gowen Field, signifying the transfer of authority between outgoing commander Maj. Gen. Michael J. Garshak and the incoming commander, Brig. Gen. Timothy J. Donnellan.
Garshak has served as the commander of the Idaho National Guard and as the adjutant general of Idaho since his appointment in November of 2017 by former Idaho Gov. Butch Otter. Earlier this month, Gov. Brad Little appointed Donnellan as the state’s 26th adjutant general following Garshak’s retirement, which will occur in a separate ceremony later in the week.
Under Garshak’s command, the Idaho Air National Guard’s 124th Fighter Wing conducted its second largest mobilization in unit history when it deployed to 17 bases in 13 countries in support of multiple operations. The Idaho Army National Guard completed multiple mobilizations including the 116th Cavalry Brigade Combat Team’s back-to-back deployments to Southwest Asia in support of Operation Spartan Shield from 2021-2023.
Locally, the Idaho National Guard was activated four times during the Covid-19 pandemic to complete more than 100 missions throughout the state. The Idaho National Guard was also activated to support wildfire fighting efforts in California and Idaho and deployed twice to Washington D.C. to support civil authorities in the nation’s capital.
Donnellan has served as the assistant adjutant general- Air and commander of the Idaho Air National Guard since 2019. He will be promoted to major general in a private ceremony prior to the change of command. In addition to commanding the Idaho National Guard, as adjutant general, Donnellan will also oversee the Idaho Military Division, which includes the Idaho Office of Emergency Management; the Idaho Youth ChalleNGe Academy; Idaho Public Safety Communications; STARBASE Idaho; and the Idaho Military Museum.
Gov. Little will preside over the ceremony, which will include the passing of the colors and other customary military traditions.
The Idaho National Guard consists of the Idaho Army National Guard and the Idaho Air National Guard. The Idaho Army National Guard comprises more than 3,000 citizen-Soldiers who serve in nearly two dozen Idaho communities. The Idaho Air National Guard includes more than 1,300 citizen-Airmen who serve primarily in the Treasure Valley. In addition, the Idaho Military Division is the state’s fourth largest employer.
