The Adjutant General of Washington State (Senior National Guard General) recently appointed Colonel Joseph ‘Joe’ Maassen commander of the Washington State Guard (State Defense Force). Colonel Maassen is a prior service Officer who served in the Washington Army National Guard. During his career he served as a Battalion Commander in the 181st BDE Support BN, and Deputy J3 for the Joint Operations Center (JOC). In 2011 he deployed to Afghanistan where he served on a Security Force Assistance Team training Afghan National Security forces.
Colonel Maassen outlined the two missions he believes will be important to the future of the State Guard as well as the State of Washington. “I am excited to work with you as the WSG prepares to be a part of the statewide response to wildfires and looks at the possibility of standing up a UAS program that will be a force multiplier for the Director of Joint Forces”.
MAASSEN APPOINTED WSG COMMANDERAt 19 March HHC drill at Camp Murray, BG Johan Deutscher, Director, Joint Staff, announced the appointment of COL Joe Maassen as Commander, Washington State Guard, effective immediately. Maassen relieves Acting Commander COL Frank McDunnah, who relieved COL Bradley Klippert, who reached mandatory retirement age earlier this year.About the WSG Commander:COL Joseph “Joe” Maassen is a lifetime Washingtonian. He graduated from Lake Washington High School in Kirkland, and earned a BA in Political Science and Government from Seattle University and was commissioned through their Army ROTC program. He then earned a Master’s in Organizational Leadership from Brandman University. His assignments in the Washington Army National Guard included serving as BN Commander in the 181st BDE Support BN, and Deputy J3 for the Joint Operations Center (JOC). In 2011-12 Maassen deployed to Afghanistan where he served on a Security Force Assistance Team working with Afghan National Security forces.COL Maassen’s Introductory Remarks are paraphrased below:I am humbled and honored to be selected as the commander of the WSG. Thank you, COL McDunnah, for your work the past two months to continue the great work of the WSG. I am excit- ed about working with such great volunteer soldiers that arecommitted to being prepared to help their state and nation. I am keenly aware that you volunteer for this service, and you spend numerous hours training to make sure that you are ready when called upon (and you are willing to spend their own money to be in the right uniform!). This is a special organization.The accomplishments of the WSG are impressive as witnessed by the missions you have accomplished recently and the missions you are preparing for now. From contact tracing to food bank operations, and participation in CR22 and ET22, your contributions to the state and your local communities are commendable. I am excited to work with you as the WSG prepares to be a part of the statewide response to wildfires and looks at the possibility of standing up a UAS program that will be a force multiplier for the Director of Joint Forces. With your input, you can let me know if we are on track to effectively accomplish our mission.”The mission of the Washington State Guard is to provide organized units that are equipped and trained in the protec- tion of life or property and the preservation of peace, order and public safety under competent orders of State authorities.”Knowing that your time is valuable – I want to know what can I do to challenge you to remain productive and stay in the WSG!Again, my thanks to BG Deutscher for the opportunity to command the WSG. I am truly looking forward to working with all of you!COL Joe Maassen CommandingPro Civitas et Patria
Source: Washington State Guard
