BOZEMAN, Mont. – Governor-elect Greg Gianforte today announced his appointment of Major General John “Pete” Hronek to serve as Montana’s Adjutant General and lead the Department of Military Affairs.
A command pilot with over 4,100 hours in flight, General Hronek serves as Air National Guard Assistant to the Commander, Air Education and Training Command, where he assists in formulating policies and programs that impact the nearly 110,000 members of the Air National Guard.
Adjutant General Matthew Quinn will assume a new role in the Governor’s Office, as executive director of Governor-elect Gianforte’s COVID-19 Task Force.
“I’m excited to announce that Major General Hronek will be returning to Montana to serve as Adjutant General and lead the Department of Military Affairs. An esteemed and proven leader in combat and with the National Guard Bureau, Major General Hronek will serve our service members, veterans, and state well,” Governor-elect Gianforte said.
He continued, “I’d also like to thank Adjutant General Quinn for his years of service to Montana, and look forward to relying on his experience and knowledge in the Governor’s Office as the executive director of my COVID-19 Task Force.”
General Hronek has held numerous posts in Montana over his career, including Assistant Adjutant General from 2018 to 2019 and Chief of Staff for the Montana National Guard from 2015 to 2018.
“I am honored to be the next Adjutant General for the great state of Montana, and am excited to lead and serve the Soldiers, Airmen, Department of Military Affairs team to meet the needs of our state and nation! I believe my breadth of experience and enthusiasm will help the Governor-elect Gianforte’s vision become a reality. I am humbled by his confidence in me and I am ready to be the next Adjutant General,” incoming Adjutant General Pete Hronek said.
General Hronek served three combat tours in Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia, Kirkuk Air Base in Iraq, and Balad Air Base in Iraq.
General Hronek has received numerous statements of support for his appointment:
CMS Sgt. CARI KENT, retired U.S. Air Force
“I would like to extend my congratulations to Major General Pete Hronek on being selected by Governor Elect Gianforte as the Montana National Guard’s Adjutant General. Throughout his time in Montana National Guard, Major General Hronek has demonstrated the highest degree of leadership and an unwavering commitment to the Soldiers and Airmen he served with and commanded. I am confident as the Adjutant General, he will lead the men and women of the guard and within his division with excellence and integrity.”
LT. GEN. MICHAEL LOH, Director of the Air National Guard
“Maj. Gen. Hronek and I first met more than two decades ago when we were both flying F-16s as part of the Rocky Mountain Coalition between Colorado and Montana, and I have consistently been impressed by his leadership in the face of incredible challenges. Whether flying combat aircraft, overseeing multiple mission changes first from F-16s to F-15s and then again to C-130s as a wing commander, or helping to shape the future of our force with his important contributions here in Washington, D.C., Maj. Gen. Hronek’s calm and steady leadership have demonstrated time and again exactly the kind of Airman that he is – the best of the best. The Soldiers and Airmen of the Montana National Guard are getting back a great leader – and I can’t wait to see all the incredible things that they will do together!”
COL. NELS SWANDAL, retired U.S. Army and Montana Army National Guard
“With three combat tours as a senior leader and experience both with the joint staff and the National Guard Bureau, Major General Hronek is an outstanding choice to be Montana’s next Adjutant General. Major General Hronek’s vision and strong leadership skills will be an asset not only to the soldiers and airmen of the Army and Air National Guard, but to all Montanans.”