His name is synonymous with the Missouri Air National Guard. During the past eight years, Maj. Gen. Steve R. McCamy has been commander of the Air Guard, serving at the pleasure of three governors and three of Missouri’s adjutant generals.

Mr. McCamy steps down as commander of the Air Guard and retires during ceremonies today. His work is built on a career in the Air Guard that dates back to 1981. He’s seen change and worked on changing the Air Guard.

“I just hope it’s a plan for the future,” Mr. McCamy said.

Federal requirements for base realignment and closure forced change in 2005. Missouri lost its only fighter squadron, which was based in St. Louis.

“There were right and wrong missions for Missouri,” Mr. McCamy said. “The job has been to restructure the whole Missouri Air Guard since 2005 to a strong position for the future.”

He’s proud to see that Missouri has a one-of-a-kind mission at Whiteman Air Force Base with the B-2 bomber fleet. The Advanced Airlift Tactics Training Center became the Air Mobility Command’s “center for excellence” with Air Force, Air Force Reserve and Air Guard people working together in St. Joseph.

Colleagues say his leadership was key to St. Joseph’s economy and the nation’s security.

“First as commander of the Airlift Wing in Desert Storm and then as the commander of the Missouri Air National Guard during Iraqi Freedom, Maj. Gen. McCamy provided the necessary leadership to get us through two wars,” said Col. Mike Pankau, vice commander of the 139th Airlift Wing.

The general’s friend and former secretary Jean Rausin says his actions kept the 139th Airlift Wing in St. Joseph.

“His vision and aggressiveness after the 1993 flood saved the base,” Ms. Rausin said. “The commander was on the phone constantly with Washington, dogging them so he could get us back on the base.”

In 1981, Mr. McCamy joined the 139th Airlift Wing and was assigned to the team creating the Tactics Training Center, which has become a world-class training school.

Mr. McCamy commanded the center starting in 1987 as a major. Two years later, he assumed command of the 1,000 men and women assigned to the 139th Airlift Wing at Rosecrans Memorial Airport.

A St. Joseph native, Mr. McCamy graduated from Benton High School before going to the University of Tennessee. He earned a bachelor’s degree in aeronautical engineering. The U.S. Navy commissioned Mr. McCamy an ensign in 1972. The Navy fighter pilot joined the Air Guard in 1981.

As a civilian, Mr. McCamy served as a Heartland Health medical administrator for 10 years. This year, he accepted a position with Covenant Medical Group, in Lubbock, Tex., as president and chief executive officer.

Marshall White can be reached

at marshall@npgco.com.