Minneapolis woman becomes first female general in Minnesota National Guard

Minneapolis native Air Force Col. Sandra L. Best will become the first female general in the Minnesota National Guard when she receives her promotion Thursday. 

Best joined the 133rd Airlift Wing of the Minnesota Air National Guard in 1984 and progressed through the ranks to technical sergeant. She was commissioned in 1991 and was deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in 2008.

Best will be promoted to brigadier general during a ceremony on Thursday. She will be the first woman to ever achieve that rank in the Minnesota National Guard.

"I congratulate Colonel Sandra L. Best for her well-deserved promotion to the rank of Brigadier General," Governor Mark Dayton said in a statement. "Colonel Best has proven her deep commitment to our state and country through her many years of dedicated service in the Minnesota National Guard. Her accomplishments as a leader in our Armed Forces should be celebrated by all Minnesotans."

With her promotion, Best will serve as the chief of staff for the Minnesota Air National Guard and be responsible for overseeing the 133rd Airlift Wing and 148th Fighter Wing.