KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. -- KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. -- The 44th New Mexico Adjutant General, Maj. Gen. Kenneth Nava, relinquished command to Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham on Friday, December 3, 2021, in Santa Fe, N.M., before spending the Saturday of his last Unit Training Assembly with the New Mexico Air National Guard at Kirtland Air Force Base.
Nava started his morning having coffee with the Assistant Adjutant General, Brig. Gen. Michelle LaMontagne, then a final flight on a C-130 through northern New Mexico landing in Roswell to speak at the New Mexico Youth Challenge Academy Graduation.
Nava left the new graduates with advice.
“When you go to the Army, home, work, or whatever it is. You earned it. Don’t mess it up. When you do something great, I want to hear about it,” said Nava.
Nava flew back to Kirtland AFB for his final all-call with the 150th Special Operations Wing. He also left the Airman of the 150th Special Operations Wing with a heartfelt goodbye.
All of the Soldiers and Airmen of the New Mexico National Guard will always be a part of the Nava family, said Nava.
“It’s not lost on me that I can’t do this forever,” said Nava. “My three priorities are God, family, and the New Mexico National Guard. Sometimes I get that order wrong, but now it is time for me to prioritize family and do something good for my family.”