Governor Butch Otter has appointed Brigadier General Gary Sayler as the commanding officer of the Idaho National Guard.  Sayler replaces Major General Larry Lafrenz, who retired in 2009.

Here is the full text of the Otter's announcement:

(BOISE) – Governor C.L. “Butch” Otter today appointed Brigadier General Gary Sayler as the commanding general of the Idaho National Guard. He succeeds Major General Larry Lafrenz, who retired late last year.

Sayler had been Assistant Adjutant General, Air, and Commander of the Idaho Air National Guard since January 2004. He had been Acting Adjutant General since Lafrenz’s retirement. The promotion will mean a second star and elevation to the rank of Major General for Sayler, who joined the Idaho Air National Guard in 1977 as a weapons systems officer for the 124th Tactical Reconnaissance Group.

“It is indeed an honor to be selected as the Adjutant General for the State of Idaho,” Sayler said. “I appreciate the trust that Governor Otter has placed in me to lead the Military Division, which includes the Idaho National Guard and the Bureau of Homeland Security. I look forward to serving the citizens of Idaho in this new capacity.”

“General Sayler is the proven leader we need as Idaho’s citizen soldiers prepare for another deployment and as we work to become the choice as the training and operational homes for the Air Force’s new F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. I’ve directed him to make that one of his highest priorities,” Governor Otter said. “We are fortunate to have an officer of such great quality and high integrity available for this mission, and I’m grateful for his willingness to take on this tremendous responsibility.”

Sayler began his military career in 1971 as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force, commissioned through the Reserve Officer Training Corps after graduating from North Dakota State University in Fargo. His assignments with the Idaho Air National Guard have included standardization and evaluation officer, flight commander, operations officer, deputy commander for resources, chief of safety, commander of the 124th Operations Group, and 124th Wing Commander.