First Female, First Black Leader of Maryland ANG

Just-promoted Brig. Gen. Allyson Solomon, who received her first star during a June 13 ceremony in Baltimore, became the assistant Adjutant General for air for Maryland on June 1, making her the first woman and first African American to lead the state’s Air Guard, reports the Baltimore Sun. Army Lt. Gen. Steven Blum, National Guard Bureau chief, said Solomon, who has served in the military for 29 years, was one of 12 candidates to lead the Maryland Air Guard, reports WBALTV. Blum added: “She’s clearly a leader. You can tell that she cares about people and she’s passionate about her job, and she’s awfully, awfully good at what she does.”