A day of transition for the Washington National Guard

Ceremonies highlighted by the retirement of Brig. Gen. John S. Tuohy

By Marguerite Cleveland on August 17, 2017

Sunday, Aug. 13, was a day of transition for the Washington National Guard. Events included the Air National Guard Change of Command, two Command Sergeant Major Change of Responsibility ceremonies and the retirement ceremony for Brig. Gen. John S. Tuohy.

Brig. Gen. John Tuohy relinquished command of the Washington Air National Guard to Col. (P) Jeremy Horn in a change of command ceremony held at the Pierce County Readiness Center. Tuohy's service as the Assistant Adjutant General for Air for the Washington National Guard and commander of the Washington Air Guard provided outstanding leadership for the unit during several natural disasters that took place in his almost four-year tenure.  He led the Air Guard's support to the horrendous wildfires in 2014 and 2015 and the tragic Highway 530 mudslide near Oso, Washington, in 2014. Horn takes command after serving as the director of the Joint Staff at the Washington National Guard's Joint Force Headquarters. He is the former commander of the Washington Air Guard's 194th Wing.

Tuohy's retirement ceremony immediately followed the change of command ceremony. It was a bittersweet event as Tuohy retired 39 years to the date he was commissioned, Aug. 13, 1978, into the United States Air Force. Brig. Gen. Craig Blankenstein, retired and former vice commander of the Washington Air National Guard, gave a heartfelt speech highlighting his years of friendship with Tuohy as well as Tuohy's years of service to the nation. The ceremony offered the unit and members of the local community the opportunity to show their appreciation for his service with the presentation of gifts, many handcrafted and thoughtful in nature.

"I want to congratulate General Tuohy on a distinguished career and thank him for his invaluable contributions to our state, our nation and the Washington National Guard. Brigadier General Tuohy will certainly be missed, but his tireless work to pioneer an initiative for a joint cyber training schoolhouse will likely leave us a lasting legacy. I wish him and his wife nothing but the best during retirement to include more time with their growing family and more adventures at their Idaho ranch," said Maj. Gen. Bret D. Daugherty, adjutant general, Washington.

Earlier in the day, at the parade field on Camp Murray, Command Sgt. Maj. Bruce Ecclestone relinquished responsibility as the Land Component Command Sergeant Major to Command Sgt. Maj. Abby West. Then Command Sgt. Maj. Wayne Parker relinquished responsibility of State CSM to Command Sgt. Maj. Bruce Ecclestone who will now assume his new role.