Ethan Hoagland
The Oregon National Guard’s Major General Michael Stencel, adjutant general, announced his retirement after 39 years. State officials held a retirement ceremony for him on Saturday, Nov. 4.
Stencel served as the adjutant general for eight years. Last year, he gave remarks at a Veterans Day memorial service at Timber Linn Memorial Park. Stencel oversaw the Oregon National Guard during the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic and the historic wildfire season of 2020.
According to the Oregon Military Department, Stencel has more than 1,900 military flight hours. He’s flown aircraft including the T-37 and T-38.
Stencel’s career with the Oregon National Guard began in 1984. There, he was trained to fly and served with the Guard in various positions. From 2010 to 2011, he also served during an interim assignment as battle director in AFCENT’s 609th Air and Space Operations Center, Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar, according to the Oregon National Guard’s website.