Seguin promoted to rank of major general

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Cory W. Bush
  • 31st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy --  Barre R. Seguin, 31st Fighter Wing commander, was promoted to the rank of major general during a ceremony May 2, 2016, at Aviano Air Base, Italy.

Seguin joined the Air Force in January of 1989 as a second lieutenant and was first stationed at Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas as a T-38 first assignment instructor pilot. Now, after 28 years of selfless service, Seguin assumed the rank of Maj. Gen. before the men and women of the 31st FW, Italian Air Force members, community members, his close friends and family.

"Seguin continues to do a fantastic job during his time here," said Lt. Gen. Timothy M. Ray, 3rd Air Force and 17th Expeditionary Air Force commander, Ramstein Air Base, Germany. "During his command, the 31st Fighter Wing has flown over 60,000 hours without any mishaps, deployed short notice to Incirlik Air Base in support of Operation Inherent Resolve all while continuing to develop Aviano and its Airmen with the Air Force vision in mind."

Seguin's new rank insignia's were pinned on by his wife and three children.

"This ceremony was about the opportunity to further serve our great Air Force," Seguin said during the ceremony. "The U.S. Air Force Airmen, uniformed and civilian, are why my family and I continue to serve.  Sharing this military tradition with you was a humbling honor for us. Thank you to the many selfless volunteers and contributors who made the ceremony so very memorable. I am extremely grateful to serve alongside you all and to be part of Team Aviano."

Seguin will depart Aviano in June to become the U.S. Africa Command's Director of Strategy, Plans and Programs (J5) Directorate in Stuttgart, Germany after relinquishing command to Brig. Gen. (select) Lance K. Landrum.

"General Seguin is a servant leader," said Ray. "He is somebody who puts everybody's benefit before his own. Somebody who puts the welfare of the organization above his own and can make a decision with the team in mind. I've been in that position before and I can tell you with absolute certainty, I trust General Seguin to make those kinds of decisions as a major general as he finishes his time here at Aviano, and in the future as the J5 for AFRICOM."