Rhode Island National Guard commander to retire
By The Associated Press
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) _ The commanding general of the Rhode Island National Guard is retiring.
Gov. Gina Raimondo announced Friday that Maj. Gen. Kevin R. McBride will retire in June after 35 years of service. Raimondo thanked McBride for his leadership, especially during the challenging winter.
McBride says it has been his honor and pleasure to have served alongside the great men and women of the Rhode Island National Guard and to have been appointed as their commander.
McBride was appointed by former Gov. Lincoln Chafee and took command of the 3,300-member organization in 2010.
His tenure included the end of ground combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. McBride also coordinated with numerous other agencies during state emergencies.
Raimondo created a search committee to help identify the Guard’s next commanding general.
© The Associated Press/WLNE-TV 2015
