Birckhead assumes state role

Continued from Page 14 tary across the nation.

“The adjutant general is the leader of Maryland’s military, and I am very confident in Janeen’s ability to do just that — lead,” said Moore said during the press conference. “Her record proves her readiness to serve at the highest-ranking military position in the state of Maryland.”

Birckhead will replace Maj. Gen. Timothy E. Gowen, who is retiring later this month, as adjutant general of Maryland during a change-of-command ceremony to be scheduled in May.

Gowen, who has served in the military for more than 36 years, was appointed as adjutant general of Maryland by former Gov. Larry Hogan in 2019.

Prior to that, he was the Army National Guard Deputy Commanding General of the Army Futures Command.

Gowen was employed in a civilian capacity as an aerospace engineer at Patuxent River Naval Air Station for 25 years when he was named assistant adjutant general of the Maryland Army National Guard in 2015.

As adjutant general, Gowen led the Maryland National Guard response during the covid-19 pandemic as sSoldiers and airmen distributed medical supplies and equipment, set up testing sites, managed mass vaccinations sites, assisted at hospitals and skills nursing facilities, and distributed food assistance to community members in need.

He also led the Maryland Military Department during protests across the state in 2020 and during the Maryland National Guard’s deployment to the U.S. Capitol in 2021.

The Maryland Military Department is composed of the Maryland Army and Air National Guard, and the Maryland Defense Force.

Soldiers and airmen of the Maryland National Guard support domestic operations such as responses to floods, fires, civil unrest, and cyber-attacks as well as federal missions, including overseas deployments.

The Maryland Military Department consists of nearly 7,000 National Guard members, Defense Force volunteers, and civilian employees, contributing nearly $300 million annually to Maryland’s economy.

“I have faith in the ability of our Military Department to accomplish the vital objectives that lie before us, and I’m excited to have the opportunity to tackle what’s ahead,” Birckhead said. “We stand ready to serve the great citizens of Maryland and our nation.”

Maryland Army National Guard Brig. Gen. Janeen L. Birckhead, a native of Snow Hill, was unanimously confirmed by the Maryland Senate to be the 31st adjutant general of Maryland. Gov. Wes Moore announced Birckhead’s nomination on April 5.