AUGUSTA, Maine — Col. Douglas Farnham, who became leader of the Maine National Guard and commissioner of Defense, Veterans and Emergency Management in mid-January, was promoted to the rank of brigadier general Wednesday by Gov. Paul LePage.
“Brigadier General Farnham has selflessly served our country for more than 30 years, and I thank him for his dedication and leadership,” LePage said in a statement, adding he was proud of his appointment.
Farnham, a Brewer native who is a pilot and former commander of the Air National Guard’s 101st Air Refueling Wing in Bangor, was nominated by LePage to lead the Maine Guard in December and breezed through the vetting process.
Farnham had been the 101st wing commander for the past three years. In addition to Brewer High School, Farnham is a graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy and Chapman University. He has 31 years of military service and is co-owner of Getchell Bros. Inc., a well-known Brewer ice-packaging business.
Farnham’s three-decade career began as a second lieutenant in the Air Force, and has included years as a pilot and flight instructor, and active duty time as a refueling pilot after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
Farnham resides in Bangor with his wife, former Sen. Nichi S. Farnham, who represented Bangor and Hermon in the Maine Senate from 2010 to 2012 after serving for 13 years as a Bangor city councilor, was at the ceremony, as was their son, Gary.
“There are many people responsible for me standing here today,” Farnham said in the released statement. “First and foremost, I thank my family. Thank you to the 101st Air Refueling Wing. From the prior leaders who gave me the opportunity to the older generation of airmen who are writing Air Guard history every day — thank you. It is an honor and privilege to serve the State of Maine and I look forward to this great challenge.”
Col. Adam Jenkins, who was appointed to replace Farnham as the 101st wing commander on Jan. 20, will formally assume command from Brig. Gen. Farnham during the “Assumption of Command Ceremony” scheduled for 2 p.m. Saturday on the base.