Maj. Gen. Pete Hronek, Montana Adjutant General and director of the Department of Military Affairs, is retiring on June 7.

Gov. Greg Gianforte announced on May 20 that he has appointed Col. Trenton Gibson to replace Hronek in those roles.

The change of command ceremony is scheduled for June 8 at Fort Harrison in Helena.

“I’m grateful to General Hronek for his service to the State of Montana. Under his leadership, the men and women of the Montana National Guard have had a true public servant guiding them and their efforts,” Gianforte said in a release. “From helping Montanans recover from disasters to recruiting Montanans to serve their country as a member of the Guard, General Hronek has served Montana with steadfast dedication. I wish him great success as he embarks on this next chapter of his life.”

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Hronek was appointed to the position in December 2020.

Prior to the appointment, Hronek served as Air National Guard assistant to the commander of Air Education and Training Command in Texas, and director of plans, programs and recruitment for the Air National Guard at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland.

Hronek also held numerous posts in Montana over his career, including the 120th Fighter Wing commander from 2009 to 2015, chief of staff for the Montana National Guard from 2015 to 2018, and assistant adjutant general from 2018 to 2019.

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Hronek commanded the 120th during two major aircraft conversions, from the F-16 to the F-15 and then from the F-15 to the current C-130 mission.

Hronek served three combat tours in Saudi Arabia and  Iraq.

“I am honored to have served the great state of Montana as the 28th Adjutant General. I have been honored to lead the outstanding soldiers, airmen and Department of Military Affairs professionals. I am so proud to see them empowered and ready to serve at the next level. They have enhanced their missions and brought on new capabilities to our nation and state. As a result of our efforts, the Montana National Guard is in a better position than ever before to recruit and retain our members,” Hronek said in a release. “My wife Traci and I will leave so ever grateful to have been part of this great team and we wish our best to Col. Gibson, his wife Sarah, and his family. We know Trent will continue to ensure the professionals at the Montana National Guard and the Department of Military Affairs will always be ready to answer the call of our nation and state anytime, anywhere.”

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Gibson began his military career in 1995 with the Montana National Guard and currently commands the 1889th Montana Army National Guard Regional Support Group in Butte and has served as the director for the Montana National Guard Youth Challenge Academy since 2018.

“I thank Major Gen. Hronek for his honorable service to our state and nation and his steadfast leadership of the Montana National Guard. I appreciate Gov. Gianforte offering me the honor and privilege of serving in this capacity,” Gibson said in a release. “The Montana National Guard and the Department of Military Affairs are home to exceptional professionals, and I have been blessed to serve in both organizations for over 25 years. I also thank my family for their support and sacrifice as I step into this critical role.” 

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Gibson deployed to Iraq in 2005 as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom, serving as the executive officer for the 115th Maintenance Company.

For his service, he received numerous awards and decorations, including the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, and Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal.