WINDHAM – Windham resident Don McCormack was promoted last week to the rank of brigadier general and is now second in command of the Maine Air National Guard, serving as Maj. Gen. John Libby’s assistant adjutant general.

McCormack, with his family, friends and colleagues in attendance, was elevated to the new rank and post at a promotion ceremony in his hometown of Lewiston last Tuesday. The ceremony was held at the Veterans Memorial Park on the banks of the Androscoggin River.

McCormack, a 31-year U.S. Air Force veteran, is also a member of the American Legion Post 148 in Windham, and had well-wishers from the Post at last week’s event.

“Don is of the highest caliber,” said Barry Lombard, commander of Windham’s Post 148. “He helped get the American Legion and VFW active again here in Windham in the late 1990s. He’s like Midas. Anything he touches really advances and comes together.”

Despite his new promotion and added responsibilities helping to lead the 1,100-plus Maine Air Guardsmen, McCormack still finds time to help the local veterans association. This week, McCormack is working to set up Windham’s Memorial Day events. Working with Lombard and VFW Commander Bob Akins, McCormack is organizing the town’s Memorial Day (May 30) parade set for 9 a.m. on Route 202 in Windham Center, the traditional flag-burning ceremony held at 10 a.m. at the high school, and an open house at the Windham Veterans Center from noon to 3 p.m.

“It’s an honor. It’s definitely something I’ve had as a goal, so this is very meaningful,” McCormack said. “My new job is basically to oversee everything and anything that goes on at the Maine Air National Guard as well as advise Gen. Libby on issues that impact the Guard.”

McCormack graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1980 and spent a decade on active duty flying helicopter search-and-rescue missions as well as presidential helicopter flights. He retired in 1990 and spent 11 months working at an engineering firm in Portland.

During that time, he moved to Windham and lived across from the high school beginning in 1991. His wife, Diane, teaches at Windham Primary School, and their two grown sons, Joe and Greg, live out of state. Joe is an engineer at Raytheon in Framingham, Mass. and Greg works at an IT firm in Charleston, S.C.

Missing the structure and camaraderie the military provided, he re-enlisted during Desert Storm in 1991 and was assigned to the Maine Air National Guard’s 243rd Engineering Installation Squadron in South Portland. During his Maine-based career, he also served in the 265th Combat Communication Squadron before moving to the position of chief of staff for the Air Guard eight years ago.

While he’s served in the Air Force and as part of the Maine Air National Guard for a combined 31 years, McCormack’s length of service isn’t what attracted Libby to choose him over a dozen other candidates. Rather, McCormack’s background and knowledge of both the Maine Army and Air National Guard operations, dedication to the job, performance under pressure and “selfless service,” Libby said, were the qualifying factors.

“As my chief of staff over the last eight years, Don and I had daily contact,” Libby said. “And as I considered Don for promotion, his background flying helicopters in high-risk situations, learning to deal with pressure and his personal qualities are what I thought set him apart. He’s been there and done that.”

McCormack is ready to get down to business in his new position. He said the major challenge in coming years will be dealing with a high number of members set to retire, as well as budget reductions, namely the recent cut in excess manpower to handle emergencies from 150 to 80 positions.

“We’ll have to find new and creative ways to get things done,” said McCormack. “But recruiting is strong and I am really looking forward to hitting the ground running.”

Don McCormack, sitting outside his home off Smith Road in Windham, now serves as assistant adjutant general to Maj. Gen. John Libby of the Maine Air National Guard. (Staff photo by John Balentine)