Brigader General Branden K. Sakai

Posted on Jan 21, 2025 in 1980's, 1990's, 2000's, 2010's, HING History

Brigadier General Braden K. Sakai is Commander, 154th Wing, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii. He is responsible for the implementation, maintenance and oversight of all Wing programs, as well as providing mission support to subordinate Wing Unit Commanders and other attendant units on four geographically separated Hawaiian Islands. The 154th Wing represents the major air component organization of the Hawaii National Guard. It is the largest Wing in the United States Air National Guard, with approximately 2,000 officers and enlisted personnel. The 154th Wing operates and maintains the C-17A, KC-135R and F-22A. In partnership with the 15th Wing, the 154th Wing employs Total Force combat and peacetime support to operations across the State of Hawaii and throughout the world.

General Sakai was commissioned in the Hawaii Air National Guard in October 1984 through the Academy Military Science at McGhee-Tyson Air National Guard Base, Knoxville, Tennessee. He is a Command pilot with approximately 3,700 total flying hours in the F-22, C-17, F-15, C-130 (dual qualified), F-4, and both the T-37 and T-38.

EDUCATION:

  • 1983 Bachelor of Arts in Education, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Manoa, Hawaii
  • 1997 SOS, by correspondence
  • 2000 ACSC, by correspondence
  • 2005 Air War College (AirWC), by correspondence
  • 2011 Advanced Joint Professional Military Education
  • 2012 SLOC, by in residence

ASSIGNMENTS:

  1. October 1984 – October 1985, Student, Undergraduate Pilot Training, Vance Air Force Base, Oklahoma
  2. October 1985 – December 1985, Fighter Lead-in Training, 479th Tactical Training Wing, Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico
  3. December 1985 – June 1986, F-4C Replacement Training Unit, 114th Tactical Fighter Training Squadron, Klamath Falls, Oregon
  4. June 1986 – June 1987, Pilot Fighter, F-4C, 199th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii
  5. June 1987 – January 1988, Student, United States Air Force Operation Training Course, 325th Tactical Training Wing, Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida
  6. January 1988 – September 1994, Fighter Pilot, A Flight, 199th Fighter Squadron, Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii
  7. September 1994 – September 1995, Fighter Pilot, D Flight, 199th Fighter Squadron, Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii
  8. September 1995 – July 1997, Fighter Pilot, B Flight, 199th Fighter Squadron, Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii
  9. July 1997 – February 1998, Commander, 199th Fighter Squadron, Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii
  10. February 1998 – February 1999, Flight Commander, C Flight, 199th Fighter Squadron, Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii
  11. February 1999 – July 2004, Operations Officer, 199th Fighter Squadron, Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii
  12. July 2004 – May 2008, Commander, 199th Fighter Squadron, Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii
  13. May 2008 – March 2009, Deputy Commander, 154th Operations Group, Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii
  14. March 2009 – March 2030, Commander, 154th Operations Group, Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii
  15. March 2010 – March 2011, Vice Commander, 154th Wing, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii
  16. March 2011 – May 2016, Commander, 154th Wing, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii
  17. May 2016 – October 2016, Chief of Staff, Honolulu, HI

FLIGHT INFORMATION:

Rating: Command Pilot
Flight Hours: Approximately 3,700 hrs total
Aircraft flown: T-37, T-38A/B, F-4C, F-15A/B/C/D, C-130, C-17A and F-22A

AWARDS AND DECORATIONS:

  • Legion of Merit
  • Meritorious Service Medal (with 1 Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster)
  • Air Force Achievement Medal (with 1 Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster)
  • Air Force Outstanding Unit Award (with Valor Device and 1 Silver Oak Leaf Cluster) Combat
  • Readiness Medal (with 1 Silver Oak Leaf Cluster and 3 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters) National
  • Defense Service Medal (with 1 Bronze Service Star)
  • Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
  • Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
  • Humanitarian Service Medal
  • Air Force Longevity Service Ribbon (with 3 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters)
  • Armed Forces Reserve Medal (with Silver Hourglass) Small Arms Expert Marksmanship
  • Ribbon (Pistol)
  • Air Force Training Ribbon
  • Hawaii State Active Duty Ribbon

OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS:

  • 1986 F-4C Academic Award
  • 1988 F-15 Outstanding Graduate
  • 1995 Unit Compliance Inspection Outstanding Performer

EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTIONS:

  • Second Lieutenant 18 October 1984
  • First Lieutenant 8 March 1987
  • Captain 2 February 1990
  • Major 18 October 1997
  • Lieutenant Colonel 19 October 2001
  • Colonel 12 March 2009
  • Brigadier General 17 May 2012

(Current as of February 2017)