A deputy commander at U.S. Army Pacific at Fort Shafter and member of a prominent Hawaii Army National Guard family is retiring after 45 years of service, the Army said.

Maj. Gen. Gary Hara spent most of that time with the Hawaii Guard, but since June 2013 has been deputy commanding general for National Guard affairs at Fort Shafter, U.S. Army Pacific said.

A “Flying V” ceremony will be held at 10 a.m. March 23 at historic Palm Circle at Fort Shafter. The Flying V traditionally honors senior Army officials when they assume duties or depart from an Army command and refers to the V-shaped way the colors are posted during the ceremony, the Army said.

The Hilo native, who entered as a private and pursued a career as an officer and Army aviator, received his commission from the Hawaii Army National Guard Officer Candidate School, Hawaii Military Academy, according to his biography.

While assigned to the Hawaii Guard, he served as commander of Troop E (Air), 19th Cavalry; commander of 1st Battalion, 193rd Aviation Regiment; commander of 103rd Troop Command; chief of staff, Hawaii Army National Guard; chief of the reserve component division for Multi-National Corps Iraq; assistant adjutant general for Army affairs; and joint forces land component commander for the Hawaii Army Guard.

“To the Hara ohana, serving in the military is a way of life,” U.S. Army Pacific said.

He was preceded by his late father, Lt. Col. Henry Hara. Maj. Gen. Hara is the eldest of four sons to serve in the Hawaii Army National Guard.

Ken Hara is a brigadier general and deputy adjutant general for Hawaii. Dennis Hara is a retired sergeant major. Larry Hara is a master sergeant.

Ken Hara’s son, Justin, is a private with the Hawaii Army National Guard, a spokesman said.

Maj. Gen. Hara is qualified in OH-58, UH-1, AH-1 and CH-47 helicopters and C-26 aircraft and has more than 5,600 flying hours.