WASHINGTON, May 10 – The Vermont congressional delegation announced today that President Obama tapped Maj. Gen. Michael Dubie, the adjutant general of the Vermont National Guard, for a top post in the U.S. military’s homeland defense mission.
Dubie was nominated to be the next deputy commander of the United States Northern Command (NORTHCOM), the military’s unified command in charge of protecting U.S. territory and providing military support for civil authorities in the event of a national emergency.
Sens. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) and Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Rep. Peter Welch (D-Vt.) said the nomination was formally sent by the White House to the U.S. Senateand they will push for its prompt confirmation.
Dubie, who has served as Vermont’s senior uniformed officer since 2006, would become a three-star general. He would be the third general from the ranks of the National Guard to fill the No. 2 position at NORTHCOM.
NORTHCOM, created in 2002 in the aftermath of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, is located with the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) at Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado Springs, Colo. In addition to protecting the contiguous United States, NORTHCOM is responsible for Alaska, Canada, Mexico, and surrounding international waters out to 500 nautical miles.
Leahy said, “This is a vital and sensitive role, and the President has made a wise choice. General Dubie is a proven leader. In commanding the Guard in Irene’s wake, during the Vermont Guard’s major deployment to Afghanistan in 2010, and in maintaining one of the most responsive Guards in the nation, he has met every challenge. My only regret is that the nation’s gain is our loss of a truly outstanding Adjutant General.”
Sanders said, “The good news is that the Northern Command will soon have an outstanding deputy commander. The bad news is that the state of Vermont is going to lose a man who has served the people of Vermont and members of the National Guard with extraordinary devotion and ability. In one of the most demanding times in the modern history of the Vermont National Guard, Mike Dubie has not only been enormously successful as a military commander, he has shown great devotion to Vermont National Guard members and their families. He is going to be sorely missed.”
Welch said, “President Obama could not have picked a more capable or deserving individual for this job. General Dubie led the Vermont Guard through some of its greatest challenges in Iraq and Afghanistan. He was there to train Vermonters before they left, guide them through their deployments, welcome them home when they returned and console them when they grieved. He served us well and made us proud. His moving on is a great loss for Vermont. But I have no doubt he will continue to serve the nation with the same honor and distinction in this new post.”
General Dubie’s nomination has been referred to the Senate Armed Services Committee. To be confirmed, the nomination must be approved by that panel and then by the full Senate. If confirmed, General Dubie will vacate the Adjutant General position in Vermont, to be filled by the Vermont Legislature during its next session.
