Francis D. Vavala

[1] In April 2017, Vavala was promoted to general in the Delaware Militia in honor of 50 years of service.

He was commissioned in June 1970 after completing the Delaware Military Academy Officer Candidate School.

Vavala worked with local elected officials and military leaders to stop the removal of these aircraft which would have effectively shut down the 166th Airlift Wing.

[7][8] As the Vice President and then President of the Adjutants General Association of the United States (AGAUS) and the Chairman of the National Guard Association of the United States (NGAUS) Vavala worked for the passage of what is known as the National Guard Empowerment Act.

He said in part: We do not accept the premise that all good ideas relating to the National Guard are reserved for the Department of Defense.

10 recognizing Vavala for his leading role in reshaping the Military of the United States of America.

The Delaware Air and Army National Guard sent two Black Hawk helicopters, communications and search and rescue specialists, as well as a Joint Enabling Team (JET).

[6] In 1984 Vavala received a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management from Wilmington University.

His military education includes the signal officer basic and advanced courses and the Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.

Major General Vavala presents an Iraqi army graduate of the Baghdad Signal University his diploma upon graduation at Camp Victory, Baghdad, Iraq, in 2009.
Vavala speaks with service members before the dedication of a World War II memorial at Legislative Hall in Dover, Delaware, November 9, 2013.
General Frank Grass and Vavala meet with Dale Earnhardt Jr. prior to the start of NASCAR's AAA 400 race at the Dover International Speedway in Dover, Delaware, September 29, 2013.
Major General Carol A. Timmons places the new cap on the newly promoted General Francis Vavala, April 1, 2017.