ARLINGTON, Va. - Air Force Maj. Gen. Michael Dubie, former adjutant general of the Vermont National Guard, and incoming deputy commander of United States Northern Command and vice commander of U.S. Element, North American Aerospace Defense Command, was promoted to lieutenant general during a Pentagon ceremony Aug. 14.
The chief of the National Guard Bureau, Air Force Gen. Craig McKinley hosted the event on behalf of Gen. Charles Jacoby, USNORTHCOM commander. Dubie's wife, Amy, their three daughters, and many family, friends and colleagues also attended the ceremony.
"That third star was richly earned and is richly deserved," McKinley said.
"It's an honor for me to be here," said Dubie, who recounted several experiences over his years as adjutant general that have shaped and prepared him for the role he assumes at USNORTHCOM on Aug. 27.
"I promise you that at NORTHCOM … I'll be a proud member of the National Guard, I'll be a proud member of the U.S. Air Force and I'll be a proud member of the joint team," he said during the ceremony.
Dubie has served as the Vermont National Guard's adjutant general since 2006, and highlights of his six-year tenure include the overseas deployment of Vermont Guard members, the Vermont Air National Guard's selection as a preferred site for the F-35 Lightning II multirole fighter jet and Vermont's recovery from last year's Hurricane Irene, in which the National Guard played a significant role.
Created in the wake of the Sept. 11 attacks, USNORTHCOM's key homeland defense and defense support of civil authorities missions match key National Guard missions. It is co-located with NORAD at Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado Springs, Colo.
The first National Guard general officer to serve as deputy commander at USNORTHCOM was retired Army Lt. Gen. H Steven Blum, a former chief of the National Guard Bureau. His successor was Army Lt. Gen. Frank Grass, who was recently selected as the 27th chief of the National Guard Bureau.