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Top Air National Guard Official Relieved of Command

By Beacon Staff

HELENA – The assistant adjutant general for the Montana Air National Guard, Brig. Gen. John Del Toro, has been relieved of his command.

A Guard spokesman, Maj. Tim Crowe, confirmed Friday that Del Toro was relieved Wednesday from the post of assistant adjutant general.

Crowe told The Associated Press that Montana’s adjutant general, Brig. Gen. John Walsh, “has lost confidence in General Del Toro’s ability to lead the Air National Guard.”

Crowe declined to say what had prompted Walsh’s loss of confidence in Del Toro.

The Independent Record in Helena first reported the dismissal on its Web site Friday.

Del Toro had been assistant adjutant general for air since 2006 and the Air Force’s senior officer in Montana.

Del Toro graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1981 and joined the Montana National Guard in January 1996.

He was responsible for the leadership, development and management of the 120th Fighter Wing and the 219th Red Horse Squadron. He also oversaw all personnel within the Montana Air National Guard assigned to the Joint Force Headquarters at Fort Harrison.

Around 1,200 airmen served under Del Toro’s command.

“The governor is aware of the situation,” Schweitzer spokeswoman Sarah Elliott told the Independent Record, adding that no further information could be released at this time.