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Governor Brown Appoints New Head Of California National Guard

LOS ALAMITOS (AP) — California Gov. Jerry Brown has appointed a new head of the California National Guard.

The appointment on Saturday of Col. David Baldwin comes less than a month after state senators probed Guard officials about alleged fraud involving student loan repayments and cash bonuses.

The 47-year-old Baldwin replaces Adjutant Gen. Mary J. Kight, who was appointed by former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger last year.

The appointment still requires state Senate confirmation.

The governor's office says Baldwin has been with the Guard for more than 29 years and has served two combat tours in Afghanistan.

He most recently served in Afghanistan as deputy commanding officer of the 101st Air Assault Division Tactical Command Post.

He has previously served as the Guard's chief of the Joint Staff from 2009 to 2010 and director of plans and operations from 2004 to 2009.

(© Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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