Brigader General Dann S. Carlson

Posted on Feb 10, 2025 in HING History, People

Brig. Gen. Dann S. Carlson was the Commander, 154th Wing, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii. The 154th Wing is the largest and most diverse wing in the Air National Guard. He was responsible for providing agile wartime ready airmen and mission capabilities to respond to state civil emergencies and worldwide contingencies. General Carlson is also responsible for ensuring that group and squadron commanders have the resources and guidance to maintain command and control over their units.

General Carlson graduated from the United States Air Force Academy as a distinguished graduate in 1989 with a degree in Aeronautical Engineering. He holds a Master of Business Administration from Trident University and a Master of Strategic Studies from Air War College. While on active duty, he served as a combat proven F-16 instructor/evaluator pilot, Harrier exchange pilot, Thunderbird Pilot, Fighter Squadron Commander, Air Base Group Commander, and Deputy Joint Base Commander. He logged combat flight hours in Operations DELIBERATE GUARD and SOUTHERN WATCH. Prior to this assignment, General Carlson was the Director of Operations for the state headquarters A-Staff as a drill status guardsman and the Assistant Superintendent, Hawaii State Department of Education, Office of School Facilities and Support Services as a civilian.

EDUCATION

  • 1989 Bachelor of Science, Aeronautical Engineering (distinguished graduate), U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colo.
  • 1990 Undergraduate Pilot Training, Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training, Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas
  • 1991 F-16 Qualification Training, MacDill AFB, Fla.
  • 1995 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
  • 1996 Royal Air Force Harrier Qualification Training, RAF Wittering, Stamford, England
  • 1999 Pilot Instructor Training, Sheppard AFB, Texas
  • 2002 Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
  • 2003 Master of Business Administration, Trident University, Calif.
  • 2004 Upgrade Instructor Pilot Training, Introduction to Fighter Fundamentals, Moody AFB, Ga.
  • 2009 Air War College, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
  • 2020 F-22 Transition Course, Tyndall AFB, Fla.
  • 2021 Joint Task for Commander Training Course, Fort Carson, Colo.
  • 2022 Dual Status Commander Orientation Course, Peterson Space Force Base, Colo.

ASSIGNMENTS

  1. July 1989 – March 1991, Student, Undergraduate Pilot Training, Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas
  2. March 1991 – September 1991, Student, F-16 Qualification Training, MacDill AFB, Fla.
  3. September 1991 – October 1992, F-16 Fighter Pilot, Homestead AFB, Fla.
  4. October 1992 – January 1996, F-16 Instructor Pilot, Moody AFB, Ga.
  5. January 1996 – November 1998, Royal Air Force Exchange Officer, Assistant Director of Operations, Harrier Instructor Pilot, RAF Wittering, England
  6. November 1998 – November 2001, Flight Commander, Instructor Pilot, Sheppard AFB, Texas
  7. November 2001 – February 2004, Thunderbird #8, F-16 Instructor Pilot, Nellis AFB, Nev.
  8. February 2004 – June 2006, Operations Officer, Instructor/Evaluator Pilot, 435th Fighter Training Squadron, Moody AFB, Ga.
  9. June 2006 – July 2008, Commander, 435th Fighter Training Squadron, Randolph AFB, Texas
  10. July 2008 – June 2009, Student, Air War College, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
  11. June 2009 – April 2011, Branch Chief / Deputy Plans Division Chief, EUCOM, Stuttgart, Germany
  12. April 2011 – July 2013, Commander, 647th Air Base Group / Deputy Joint Base Commander, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii
  13. July 2013 – January 2014, Special Assistant to the Director, Secretary Of the Air Force International Affairs, Pentagon, Va.
  14. January 2014 – December 2014, Air Attaché’ Designate (training), Defense Intelligence Agency, Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, Washington D.C.
  15. December 2014 – May 2018, Retired Status, Hawaii
  16. May 2018 – July 2019, Director of Plans and Programs, Headquarters Hawaii Air National Guard, Fort Ruger, Hawaii

SUMMARY OF JOINT ASSIGNMENTS

  1. June 2009 – April 2011, Branch Chief / Deputy Plans Division Chief, EUCOM, Stuttgart, Germany as a lieutenant colonel

FLIGHT INFORMATION

  • Rating: Command Pilot
  • Flight hours: More than 3,800 including 285.6 combat hours
  • Aircraft flown: T-38A, AT-38, F-16C/D, GR-7 Harrier (RAF), Hawk (RAF), Gazelle (RAF), and F-22

MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS

  • Legion of Merit
  • Defense Meritorious Service Medal
  • Air Force Meritorious Service Medal with four oak leaf clusters
  • Air Medal with two oak leaf clusters
  • Aerial Achievement Medal with one oak leaf cluster
  • Joint Service Commendation medal
  • Air Force Commendation Medal
  • Navy Commendation Medal

EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION

  • Second Lieutenant May 31, 1989
  • First Lieutenant May 31, 1991
  • Captain May 31, 1993
  • Major , Aug. 1, 2000
  • Lieutenant Colonel , Sept. 1, 2005
  • Colonel (adjusted) May 5, 2014
  • Brigadier General Feb. 27, 2020

(Current as of September 2024)