Sen. Amy Klobuchar has added a recently retired Minnesota National Guard general to her Minnesota staff.

Brig. Gen. Tim Cossalter, who retired in March after a four-year stint as Assistant Adjutant General for Air, will join Klobuchar's staff as outreach director for veterans affairs and military issues.

Cossalter served in the Minnesota National Guard for 43 years, where he began as a pilot and rose to the top post in the state's Air National Guard. He also was commander of the 148th Fighter Wing in Duluth and 133rd Airlift Wing in St. Paul.

Cossalter replaces Staff Sgt. Martin Ludden, who is now executive director of the Disabled American Veterans Foundation of Minnesota.