April 23, 2005
ROMNEY NAMES COLONEL MASON TO LEAD MASS NATIONAL GUARD
Governor Mitt Romney today announced the selection of Army Colonel Oliver J. Mason, Jr. as the new Adjutant General of the Massachusetts National Guard. Colonel Mason replaces General George W. Keefe, who is retiring after a distinguished 49-year military career.
“Over the course of an outstanding career, Colonel Mason has proven himself to be an effective leader who is capable of accomplishing the most demanding of missions,” said Romney. “As the global war on terror continues, I will look to Colonel Mason to devise and implement new ways to keep our Commonwealth secure.”
A 30-year veteran of the Massachusetts National Guard, Colonel Mason has held a number of leadership positions during the 19 years he has spent as a full-time employee of the organization. On September 11, 2001, Adjutant General George Keefe appointed Colonel Mason as Director of Operations, a position that put him in charge of coordinating the Massachusetts National Guard’s response at the national and state level. He was responsible for deploying military forces and providing infrastructure security and force protection at major airports, reservoirs and potential targets identified by the Executive Office of Public Safety.
“As the role of the Massachusetts National Guard continues to evolve to meet the challenges of terrorism, I look forward to building the capabilities that will keep us ready and available,” said Colonel Mason. “I am honored that Governor Romney has placed his trust in me to lead this great organization forward at such a critical time in our nation’s history.”
Colonel Mason is a graduate of Nichols College in Dudley and holds masters degrees in education from Fitchburg State College and Worcester State College. Prior to joining the Massachusetts National Guard full time in 1986, Colonel Mason was a high school science teacher in Ayer. Colonel Mason and his wife, Jane, reside in Millbury where they raised two children.
General Keefe, who will turn 66 on Sunday, was appointed the 41st Adjutant General of the Massachusetts National Guard on January 7, 2000 and was the first Air Force officer to hold the position. In 2004, Romney signed into law special legislation that allowed General Keefe to extend his service by one year beyond his 65th birthday, the mandatory retirement age for National Guard officers.
A critical element of the nation’s homeland security strategy, the National Guard is responsible for providing operationally trained and mission-ready forces to support national security objectives. The Adjutant General serves as the Governor’s chief military advisor and is also responsible for protecting life and property in times of natural disaster or civil emergency.
Since September 11, 2001, over 9,600 Massachusetts National Guard troops have served on active duty at home and abroad, the largest mobilization since World War II. Today, over 800 Massachusetts National Guard troops are serving overseas in Iraq and Afghanistan.
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