Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Tim Beery | Brig. Gen. Michael Kjar unveils his flag as Gov. Spencer Cox presides, following a...... read more read more
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ROLAND R. WRIGHT AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Utah — Brig. Gen. Michael D. Kjar assumed command of the Utah National Guard from Maj. Gen. Daniel D. Boyack during a change of command ceremony Aug. 3, 2026.
Gov. Spencer J. Cox presided over the ceremony, which also included Kjar’s promotion from colonel to brigadier general. Kjar now serves as Utah’s 22nd adjutant general, leading more than 8,000 soldiers, airmen and civilian employees across the Utah Army and Air National Guard.
The adjutant general is appointed by the governor and serves as the commanding general of the Utah National Guard and the governor’s chief military adviser.
During his remarks, Cox emphasized the importance of experienced leadership in preparing the organization for future challenges.
“It takes real leadership to make sure that we are prepared for whatever comes our direction,” Cox said. “And I am here to tell you that I have no doubt in my mind that Colonel Kjar is the person that we need at this time to continue to make sure that we are prepared as a state and a nation for whatever comes our way.”
Kjar brings more than 30 years of military service to the position. He began his career March 23, 1995, when he enlisted in the Wyoming Army National Guard as a 13B cannon crewman. He transferred to the Utah Army National Guard in 2000 and received a direct commission as a field artillery officer in 2003.
In 2005, Kjar deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, serving as a platoon leader and battery executive officer. Throughout his career, he has held a range of command and staff assignments, including commander of the Recruiting and Retention Battalion, commander of the 640th Regiment, Regional Training Institute, deputy G-3 and state training officer, and chief of staff of the Utah Army National Guard.
Kjar earned a bachelor’s degree in communications from Southern Utah University, a Master of Public Administration from Brigham Young University and a Master of Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army War College. His military awards include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal and Army Commendation Medal.
Kjar succeeds Boyack, who served as Utah’s 21st adjutant general beginning Aug. 21, 2023. During his tenure, Boyack led major readiness and modernization efforts, including the activation of the 1st Battalion, 204th Mobile Infantry; the establishment of two cyber squadrons; and the expansion of Utah’s State Partnership Program with Morocco.
Boyack also worked with the Utah Legislature to secure historic recruitment and retention funding during a period of national recruiting challenges. Those efforts helped the Utah Air National Guard reach 107% end strength and the Utah Army National Guard reach 105%, placing Utah at the forefront of National Guard personnel readiness.
His Distinguished Service Medal citation also recognized his role in advancing force modernization, advising senior Department of War and Air Force leaders on reserve component policy, and mentoring future leaders as director of the Air National Guard Commander Leadership Course.
Cox said Boyack “has become the most respected adjutant general in the United States,” adding, “I can say that without hesitation because I hear it all the time.”
Boyack began his career with the Utah Air National Guard in 1994 and received his commission in 2000. A combat pilot, he has served in military operations including Operation Allied Force, Operation Northern Watch, Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Inherent Resolve.
Following the change of command, Boyack will continue his military service as the National Guard adviser to the commander of U.S. Northern Command and North American Aerospace Defense Command. In that national-level position, he will provide National Guard expertise and counsel to the commander responsible for both USNORTHCOM and NORAD.
The ceremony marked both a transition in leadership and a continuation of the Utah National Guard’s responsibility to maintain ready forces capable of supporting Utah communities and responding to state and federal missions.
| Date Taken: | 08.06.2026 |
| Date Posted: | 08.06.2026 18:14 |
| Story ID: | 571809 |
| Location: | UTAH, US |
| Web Views: | 45 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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