Department of Defense

Brigadier General Dwight M. Kealoha was appointed by Governor Benjamin J. Cayetano as the commander of the Hawaii Air National Guard (HIANG) on February 1, 1996. As HIANG commander, he is responsible for overseeing the training and readiness of the Hawaii Air National Guard with an authorized strength of 2,461 officers and airmen. The Hawaii Air National Guard has a majority of its assets located at Hickam Air Force Base, with other units at Barbers Point Naval Air Station, Wheeler Army Air Field, and on the islands of Maui, Kauai, and Hawaii. The HIANG has dual missions. Its state mission is to protect Hawaii and its residents from mass violence, resulting from natural or human-caused disasters. Its federal mission is to provide trained units and individuals for active duty to the U.S. Air Force in time of war, national emergency, or as required by national security.

General Kealoha was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, on August 29, 1944. He graduated from lolani High School, Honolulu, in 1962, and later graduated from the University of Hawaii, in 1966, with a bachelor’s degree in political science. In 1976, he obtained a master’s degree in business from the University of Utah. His military education includes Squadron Officer School, 1973; Air Command and Staff College, 1974; and Air War College, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama, 1985.

Kealoha began his military career after receiving a commission from the University of Hawaii’s Reserve Officers Training Corps program June 8, 1966. For a year he served as an undergraduate student in pilot training at Williams Air Force Base, Arizona. From 1968 to 1969, he served with the Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron, Tan Son Nhut Air Base, South Vietnam. From March 1969 to November 1970, he was involved with T-33 familiarization, Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina; the RF-4C replacement training unit at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho; and as a RF-4C Pilot (Bullwhip Fast Reconnaissance), Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand. From November 1970 to May 1974, he served as an instructor pilot with the 32nd Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, Royal Air Force Station, Alconbury, England. He served as a flight examiner from May 1974 to June 1977 with the U.S. Air Forces in Europe, Ramstein Air Base, West Germany. From June 1977 to May 1981, he served as the action officer for Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C. From May 1981 to June 1984, he served with the 511th Tactical Fighter Squadron and then as Commander of the 509th Tactical Fighter Squadron flying the A-10 at Royal Air Force Station Bentwaters, England.

Some of Kealoha’s other assignments included vice commander of the 48th Tactical Fighter Wing, Royal Air Force Station, Lakenheath, England, from July 1986 to 1987; commander of the 513th Airborne Command and Control Wing, Royal Air Force Station Mildenhall, England, from June 1987 to December 1988; and as assistant deputy for plans, programs and policy with Headquarters U.S. Air Forces in Europe, Ramstein Air Base, West Germany, from December 1988 to May 1990. He worked with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and as a special assistant to the chief of staff of the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers from May 1990 to October 1991. From October 1991 to June 1993 he commanded the 375th Airlift Wing at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, prior to being appointed commander of the 15th Air Base Wing at Hickam Air Force Base, in June 1993.

General Kealoha is a command pilot with over 3,600 flying hours in the T-33, RF-4C, AT-38, A-10, F-4C, D and E, F-111 F, EC-135, C-21 and C-9 aircraft. His military awards and decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster, Distinguished Flying Cross with oak leaf cluster, Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf cluster, Air Medal with nine oak leaf clusters, Air Force Commendation Medal, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Vietnam Service Medal with seven service stars, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm, and Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation.

General Kealoha is married to the former Ann Mitchell of Phoenix, Arizona.

(Current as of July 1997)