JASPER, Ind. (AP): The Indiana National Guard says former state Adjutant General Robert Mitchell has died at age 77.

Mitchell was the head of the Indiana National Guard from 1997 to 2001. Becher-Kluesner Funeral Home says he died Sunday at his home in Jasper.

Current Adjutant General Martin Umbarger says Mitchell was a mentor and friend whose leadership transformed the Indiana Guard.

Then-Gov. Frank O'Bannon appointed Mitchell to lead Indiana's Army and Air National Guard after he served as commander of the 38th Infantry Division commander and oversaw about 6,000 soldiers during the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta.

After his retirement, he was an Army adviser to the former Soviet republic of Georgia as it prepared for NATO admission.

Mitchell's funeral will be Friday at the National Guard armory in Jasper.