SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah Army National Guard has promoted Col. Charlene Dalto to the position of brigadier general. Dalto becomes the first woman in the history of the Utah Army National Guard to reach the rank of a brigadier general.
At the change-of-command ceremony Saturday at Camp Williams, Dalto assumed the role of commander of the Utah Army National Guard Land Component Command from Brig. General Thomas C. Fisher.
Dalto is a registered nurse for Intermountain Healthcare. According to a statement, she has commanded the Utah Army National Guard’s Medical Detachment since February 2018.
She has served in the military for more than 38 years, first, as an enlisted soldier who rose to the rank of master sergeant. She then served for 18 years as an officer in the U.S. Army Nurse Corp.
In 1990, Dalto was deployed in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia in support of both Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm.
“I am both honored and grateful to Maj. Gen. Michael Turley and Gov. Spencer Cox for the opportunity to serve as the Land Component commander,” said Dalto.
“Throughout my military career, I have been privileged to know many great Soldiers and be mentored by outstanding leaders. I pledge to continue that tradition for the Soldiers under my command.
“When the state of Utah needed her help with our vaccination efforts, Col. Dalto answered the call,” said Governor of Utah Spencer Cox.
Following the change of command, a retirement ceremony was held for Fisher to honor his 31 years of distinguished service.
“Your service to this nation, this state, this command and to the Utah National Guard are without parallel,” Maj. Gen. Michael J. Turley, adjutant general, Utah National Guard.