Maryland Air Guard officer promoted to brigadier general

  • Published
  • By Retired Lt. Col. Mike Milord
  • 175th Wing
BALTIMORE --  A Maryland Air National Guard officer became a general officer July 20 during a ceremony held at Warfield Air National Guard Base, Middle River, Md.

Col. Paul C. Maas Jr., of Catonsville, Md., was promoted to the grade of brigadier general and appointed chief of staff, Maryland Air National Guard.

Joining Maas were his wife, Donna; daughter, Taylor; his father, retired Senior Master Sgt. Paul C. Maas Sr. and Valerie Quigg; retired Master Sgt. Ronald Maas and his wife, Anne, of Baltimore and other brother.  Also attending were Maj. Gen. James A. Adkins, adjutant general of Maryland and his wife, Mary Anne; Brig. Gen. Brian G. Neal, commander, Air National Guard Readiness Center, Joint Base Andrews, Md., retired Brig. Gen. Guy M. Walsh, former commander, 175th Wing, Brig. Gen. (MD) Vernon A. Sevier, former commander, 135th Airlift Group, both, Maryland Air National Guard, Joe Ayers, vice president and general manager, Dell Computer Corp., Federal Sales and retired Col. Robert L. Gould, former state staff public affairs officer, Headquarters, Maryland Air National Guard.

Offering the invocation was Chaplain (Col.) William Sean Lee, chaplain, Joint Force Headquarters, Maryland National Guard.

Brig. Gen. Allyson Solomon, assistant adjutant general for Air, Maryland National Guard, officiated the ceremony.

"I've began serving with Paul 33 years ago - life was a lot simpler then," said Solomon. "Paul is the right leader who will help navigate the Maryland Air Guard in the years to come.
"You can depend on him - his family knows that well. Those who know him in the Air National Guard know he will give you honest feedback. We are depending on him to develop our strategic outlook in the near and distant future."

Joined by Solomon, Donna, Taylor and Paul Sr., Maas then exchanged his colonel's eagles for single silver stars.

Brig. Gen. Scott L. Kelly, commander, 175th Wing, Maryland Air National Guard administered the oath of office.

"I'm honored," said Maas. "I'm still excited and still enjoy serving in the Air Guard."  Maas cited the lifelong support he has received from his fellow airmen during his 35 years' service.
"Managing a dual career, civilian and military - it's like climbing a steep mountain," said Maas. "The professional enlisted teams I've had the privilege to serve with have been outstanding.  Talking about his family, Maas said among his father, brothers, and nephew Nick, they have more than 100 years collective service. "We were never pressured to join the Air Guard," said Maas, although they followed in his footsteps.  "Without family support, there is no Air National Guard career," he said. "Donna knew what she was getting into before we married. Tailor never complained about the weekends I missed in her life.

"With the challenges ahead in the Department of Defense budget, the Air National Guard has a unique role to play. I look forward to being a part of it."

Maas, born in Baltimore, enlisted in the Maryland Air National Guard in 1978, serving as a computer operator. He was commissioned a second lieutenant in Feb. 1986 at the Air National Guard Academy of Military Science, McGhee Tyson Air National Guard Base, Knoxville, Tenn. and assigned as a social actions officer in the 135th Tactical Airlift Group. He went on to serve as executive support officer, 135th Support Group and commander, 175th Communications Squadron.  In 1999, he transferred to the Headquarters, Maryland Air National Guard, serving as lead officer to establish the 175th Information Operations Squadron, supporting the National Security Agency, Fort Meade, Md.  In 2004, Maas was appointed deputy commander, 175th Mission Support Group, and then in 2008 commander, 175th Mission Support Group.

In civilian life, Maas held several positions in sales and management in information technology, most recently as director, Dell, Inc., Federal Sales.  Maas earned a Bachelor of Science degree, University of Maryland and a Master of Business Administration, University of Baltimore.  Among his many awards, Maas has received the Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters, the Air Force Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster, the Air Force Achievement Medal, the Maryland Commendation Medal and the Maryland National Guard State Active Duty Service Medal with one device.