A new leader who has twice served in Iraq was promoted Thursday to brigadier general for the Minnesota National Guard.
Army Col. Neal Loidolt, 44, will head the Guard's emergency response operations, government relations, strategic planning, facilities management and international affairs.
"Col. Loidolt is a superior leader and a standard-bearer within our organization," Army Maj. Gen. Richard Nash, Minnesota National Guard adjutant general and Loidolt's immediate superior, said in a statement.
Recently, Loidolt served as chief of staff for the 34th Infantry Division, completing his second tour in Iraq.
"His leadership in Iraq and here in Minnesota has been vital to our success, and this promotion is truly well-deserved," Nash said.
Loidolt, who lives in Brooklyn Park, has been a member of the Minnesota National Guard for more than 25 years and a full-time soldier more than 17 years.
He has served in numerous senior staff positions and commanded troop units at the battery, battalion and brigade levels. Most recently, he has been a primary adviser to Nash on Army and Air National Guard matters.
He received his commission in 1987 through the Reserve Officer Training Corps program at St. Cloud State University. He succeeds retired Brig. Gen. Joe Kelly.
