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Today's Featured Biography
donald lagor
Colonel Donald M. Lagor is the Deputy Chief of Staff, Joint Forces Headquarters, Rhode Island National Guard, Command Readiness Center, Cranston, Rhode Island 02920.
Colonel Lagor was born on April 7, 1953, in Pawtucket, Rhode Island. He graduated from Saint Raphael Academy in 1971. He then attended the University of Rhode Island until 1973. In 1973 he married and began a career in the construction business, serving as foreman for Skyway Construction and Maintenance Co., Inc., of Pawtucket, RI. In 1976, he was promoted to the position of General Manager, where he served until 1982. In 1982, he resigned his position in order to continue his education, and enrolled at Roger Williams College as a full time student. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Engineering in 1984. His service schools include Air War College, Air Command and Staff College and Squadron Officers School.
He began his military career as a student at Basic Military Training, Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, graduated in the upper five percent of his class, and was awarded the BMT Honor Graduate Ribbon in June 1982. Colonel Lagor was then stationed at Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi, for Communications-Electronics Maintenance training in Wideband systems, graduating in the top ten percent of his class in Novemeber 1982. He then returned to Coventry Air National Guard station, where he served as a Wideband Equipment technician until 1987. During this short time, Colonel Lagor ascended to the rank of Technical Sergeant, while holding a position as a MRC-113 Crew Chief. He was named an Air Force Communications Command (AFCC) Superior Performer during the 1983 AFCC Management Effectiveness Inspection and again during the 1985 Operational Readiness Inspection. He was also named the 282nd Combat Information Systems Squadron 1985 Outstanding Airman of the Year. In February 1987, Colonel Lagor attended the Air National Guard Academy of Military Science at Magee-Tyson Air Force Base, Tennessee, where he was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the United States Air Force in April 1987. He graduated within the top five percent of his class and received the Distinguished Graduate Award. Next he attended the Logistics Plans and Programs Officer Course at Lowry Air Force Base, Colorado, again graduating within the top five percent of his class and receiving the Honor Graduate Award in June 1987. In October 1987, Colonel Lagor took a full-time military technician position as the Logistics Plans and Programs Staff Officer at the 143rd Tactical Airlift Group, Quonset Point Air National Guard Base, Rhode Island. He served in this capacity and as the Installation Mobility Officer until April 1989, when he transferred to the 281st Combat Communications Group and took the full-time Logistics Management/Maintenance Officer position. In November 1991, he was relieved of his assignment from the 281st Combat Communications Group, and was assigned as the Detachment Commander and Director of Operations of the 282nd Combat Communications Squadron. He attended the Communications-Computer Systems Officer Course at Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi, which he graduated in the top five percent of his class in September 1993. Colonel Lagor was appointed as the 282nd Combat Communications Squadron Commander in June 1996. Colonel Lagor also served as the Air Force Forces (AFFOR/A-6), attached to Joint Task Force – Southwest Asia (JTF-SWA) during Operation Desert Focus in Saudi Arabia immediately following the bombing of Khobar Towers. In his capacity as the A-6, he was responsible for the engineering and installation of all communications requirements to Prince Sultan Air Base, Saudi Arabia, as part of the Air Force’s efforts to consolidate operations within the Kingdom to a more secure location for Force Protection considerations. He led the Squadron successfully through several other contingency operations and received an “Outstanding” rating on the unit’s Operational Readiness Inspection, conducted by the Air Combat Command Inspector General in June 1998. Colonel Lagor directed the Squadron’s re-location from Coventry Air National Guard Station to North Smithfield Air National Guard Station, requiring the oversight of numerous logistics details and a complete re-engineering of the base infrastructure. The Squadron received it’s fourth Air Force Outstanding Unit Award during his assignment as Squadron Commander. He was relieved of command of the 282nd Combat Communications Squadron in February 2000 and assigned as the 281st Combat Communications Group’s Director of Operations. In November 2002, Colonel Lagor assumed command of the 281st Combat Communications Group. Colonel Lagor served as the Division Chief (Rear) for US Central Command’s Current Operations and Plans Division of the J6 Directorate during Operation Iraqi Freedom from March - September 2003. He relinquished command of the 281st Combat Communications Group on 22 November 2004 in order to accept the position of Deputy Chief of Staff for the Joint Forces Headquarters – Rhode Island National Guard.
Colonel Lagor’s military awards and decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters, Air Force Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters, Air Force Achievement Medal with two oak leaf clusters, Joint Meritorious Unit Award with oak leaf cluster, Outstanding Unit Award with three oak leaf clusters, Air Reserve Forces Meritorious Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Southwest Asia Service Medal, Air Force Longevity Service ribbon with three oak leaf clusters, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with “M” device, Air Force Training Ribbon with oak leaf cluster, Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon, Basic Military Training Honor Graduate Ribbon, the Rhode Island Star Medal, the Rhode Island National Defense Service Ribbon, the Rhode Island National Guard Service Medal, , the Rhode Island National Guard Emergency Ribbon, the Rhode Island National Guard Recruiting Ribbon, and the South Carolina Meritorious Service Medal.
Colonel Lagor, serves as the Deputy Chief of Staff for the Joint Forces Headquarters – Rhode Island National Guard. He is the principle full-time representative and spokesperson of the Air National Guard senior leadership on the Adjutant General’s joint Army/Air National Guard state headquarters staff. He also serves as the senior ANG manager of the major statewide programs conducted under the direction of the Adjutant General and for the National Guard Bureau. He acts in the absence of or for the Adjutant General or Assistant Adjutant General in all ANG matters. Advises on complex and sensitive issues in the areas of logistics, C4, manpower and personnel strength management and other support functions related to mission operations. Serves as the state executive responsible for the development of state long-range plans that correlate with USAF and ANG integrated planning processes. Supervises state headquarters full-time staff. Initiates contacts and maintains liaison with public officials, civic groups, other reserve component activities, unit advisors, and staff representatives. Develops and institutes force management plans and programs that insure the units meet future federal and state readiness and mission needs.
He was promoted to the rank of Colonel on 30 January 2003.
Colonel Lagor is married to the former Cheryl Ann Costa of Bristol, Rhode Island. They have three children, Jeremy, Mikaela, and Clinton. They also have one granddaughter, Bella Anna-Grace and a grandson, Maximus John.
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