Governor Officially Promotes Col. Douglas A. Farnham to Brigadier General

February 3, 2016

For Immediate Release: Wednesday, February 03, 2016
Contact: Adrienne Bennett, Press Secretary, 207-287-2531

AUGUSTA – On Wednesday, Governor Paul R. LePage officially promoted Colonel Douglas A. Farnham to brigadier general. Brig. Gen. Farnham is the Adjutant General, the senior military officer of the state, and Commissioner of Defense, Veterans and Emergency Management (DVEM).

“I am proud today to officially promote Col. Douglas Farnham to the rank of Brigadier General.” Governor LePage said. “Brigadier General Farnham has selflessly served our country for more than 30 years, and I thank him for his dedication and leadership.”

For the past three years, Brigadier General Farnham has been the Wing Command of the 101st Air Refueling Wing in Bangor, known as the “MAINEiacs.” A graduate of Brewer High School and the United States Air Force Academy, he holds an MBA from Chapman University and has 31 years of military service.

Commissioned in 1984 as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force, he served as primary pilot for CINC U.S. Space Command, a C-21A pilot, a flight examiner and ground school instructor for pilots of C-21, C-12 and C-9 aircraft. As a pilot of a KC-135E aerial refueling aircraft in the Air Guard, he was activated for Operation Noble Eagle, a mission to support homeland security in response to the September 11 attacks. He also served as a KC-135 evaluator pilot, full-time Air Guard technician, 132nd Air Refueling Squadron Operations Officer, Chief of Wing Plans.

In 2005-06, Brigadier General Farnham served as commander of 132nd Air Refueling Squadron. From 2006-12, he served as Operation Group Commander, 101st Air Refueling Wing, then from 2012 to present as Wing Commander, 101st Air Refueling Wing.

He is also president and fourth-generation owner of Getchell Bros. Inc., a family-owned packaged ice company in business since 1888, and has been active in local civic organizations.

“There are many people responsible for me standing here today. First and foremost, I thank my family,” said Brig. Gen. Farnham. “Thank you to the 101st Air Refueling Wing. From the prior leaders who gave me the opportunity to the older generation of airmen who are writing Air Guard history every day – thank you. It is an honor and privilege to serve the State of Maine and I look forward to this great challenge.” Brig. Gen. Farnham said.