Perdue names new National Guard commander

Lusk's promotion to adjutant general is effective Oct. 1. He will command nearly 12,000 soldiers and airmen of the N.C. Army and Air National Guard and will be an adviser to the governor on military affairs.

He succeeds Adjutant Gen. William E. Ingram Jr., who has served as commander since July 2001.

“Col. Lusk has commanded our largest National Guard unit on tours of duty to Iraq and has served with honor and distinction throughout his career,” Perdue said in a statement. “Whether it’s helping respond to hurricanes here in North Carolina or defending our country’s freedoms, the National Guard plays a vital role in our domestic and international security. Col. Lusk is a strong leader and will carry on that proud tradition of being a citizen-soldier.”

Lusk has been a member of the National Guard since August 1979. As commander of the 30th Heavy Brigade Combat Team, he served two tours of duty to Iraq since 2003. During the most recent deployment, the brigade partnered with Iraqi Security Forces to carry out combined security operations and civil capacity improvement.

The 30th Heavy Brigade Combat Team has more than 4,000 soldiers.

Lusk has a bachelor's degree in civil engineering from North Carolina State University and a master's degree in strategic studies from the U.S. Army War College. He is a financial adviser for Waddell & Reed and also owns Handy Man Hardware in Raleigh.