For Release: Immediate  Date: November 13, 2001

For additional information contact: Captain Robert N. Carver North Carolina National Guard Office of Public Affairs 4105 Reedy Creek Road Raleigh, NC 27607-6410 Phone:(919) 664-6244

CHARLOTTE - Charles W. Collier, Jr., of Concord officially assumed the rank of brigadier general during a ceremony held at the North Carolina Air National Guard Base at Charlotte-Douglas International Airport November 3.

Collier pinned on the new rank as part of his new job as chief of staff of the North Carolina Air National Guard (NCANG), the second-highest-ranking officer in the organization.

"Believe me when I say that I am honored and proud to stand and serve with such fine patriots who demonstrate their love of country and support the national interests by their sacrifices," Collier told the assembled members of the 145th Airlift Wing, the NCANG unit based at Charlotte-Douglas. "Unquestionably, this group of patriots will rise to meet any challenge - just as its long tradition of excellence and dedication to mission would indicate."

Collier has spent more than 30 years in uniform, serving both on active duty in the United States Air Force and in the Air National Guard in Tennessee and North Carolina. A command pilot, he has more than 4,100 hours at the controls of military aircraft that include the C-130 Hercules cargo airplane as well as HH-53 and UH-1 helicopters. A captain with U.S. Airways in civilian life, he has more than 8,000 flying hours in the Boeing 737-200, Boeing 757/767 and the Boeing 727.

As NCANG chief of staff, Collier is responsible for planning flying activities based on training needs and directives from higher headquarters. Other duties include evaluating the effectiveness of current training programs as well as the operational readiness of the state's Air National Guard units.

The North Carolina Air National Guard has more than 1,500 members.

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