Department of Defense

Colonel David M. Rodrigues is the commander of the Hawaii Air National Guard (HIANG). He is responsible for providing command and control over 23 units located on four islands in the State of Hawaii. The HIANG has an authorized strength of over 2,200 personnel.

Colonel Rodrigues was born on August 13, 1935 in Honolulu, Hawaii. He received his bachelors in electrical engineering from San Jose state University, San Jose, California. He completed Squadron Officer School in 1973 and Air Command and staff College in 1978.

His military career began when he enlisted in the Hawaii Air National Guard in 1953 as a fire control systems mechanic. His last assignment as an enlisted member was as a master sergeant in charge of the weapons control systems section.

In 1963 he received his commission as a second lieutenant and was assigned to the 154th Consolidated Aircraft Maintenance Squadron as an armament systems officer. His command positions included: commander of the 201st Combat Communications Flight, Kahului, Maui, October 1976 to January 1979; director of logistics, Headquarters, Hawaii Air National Guard (HQ HIANG), 1979-1982 and 1986-1989; director of resources, HQ HIANG, 1982-19861 deputy chief of staff, HQ HIANG, 1989-1991; chief of staff, HQ HIANG, 1991-1993. He was appointed the assistant adjutant general, air, on 1 April 1993 with concurrent assignment as commander of the Hawaii Air National Guard.

Colonel Rodrigues’s military awards and decorations include the Air Force Commendation Medal, Air Force Organizational Excellence Award, National Defense service Medal, Air Force Longevity Service Ribbon with eight oak leaf clusters, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with two hour glass devices, Air Force Training Ribbon, Hawaii National Guard Service Ribbon with two Kahili devices and the Hawaii National Guard State Active Duty Ribbon.

His civillian job is vice president of operations at Hawaiian Electric Company.

Colonel Rodrigues is married to the former Geraldine s. Lopes. They have three children: David A., James M. and Donald B.