Hawaii Air National Guard Commander

MAJOR GENERAL JOSEPH R. HARRIS, II

Maj Gen Joseph R. Harris II is the Chief of Staff and Commander of the Hawaii Air National Guard (HIANG). He coordinates with both Federal and State Department of Defense agencies to provide 2,500 combat ready Guardsmen from the 154th Wing, 201st Air Operations Group, and 298th Air Defense Group to enhance Total Force Association combat capabilities within the Pacific Theater. General Harris also provides strategic planning and operational oversight while advancing 5th-generation combat power, global reach and strategic airlift to defend Hawaii’s citizens, preserve peace, and ensure regional stability throughout the Hawaiian Islands during natural disasters and national emergencies.

In 1998, General Harris graduated from Northwest Christian University with a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration, and then commissioned through the Academy of Military Science. He is a graduate of the U.S. Advanced Maintenance and Munitions Operations School and a career aircraft maintenance officer with experience on multiple fighter and heavy aircraft Mission Design Series.

General Harris has served in a variety of maintenance, logistics and personnel assignments to include two tours as a squadron commander, two tours as a deputy group commander, and one tour as a group commander. He has over 39 years as a guardsman. Prior to his current assignment, the General was the HIANG Air Staff Director, Plans and Programs, providing key operational analysis and developing new mission sets for modernizing combat capabilities.

EDUCATION

1998 Academy of Military Science, McGhee Tyson Air National Guard Base, Tenn.
1998 Bachelor of Arts, Business Administration, Northwest Christian University, Eugene, Ore.
1999 Aircraft Maintenance and Munitions Officer School, Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas
2002 Aircraft Mishap Investigation Officer Course, Kirtland AFB, N.M.
2004 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2005 Advanced Maintenance and Munitions Officer School, Nellis AFB, Nev.
2007 ANG Intermediate Development Course, McGhee Tyson ANGB, Tenn.
2008 Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2012 Air War College, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2013 Master of Public Administration, Portland State University, Ore.
2014 ANG Commander’s Development Course, Joint Base Andrews, Md.
2016 Maintenance Group Commander’s Course, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2018 Joint Task Force Commander’s Course, Peterson AFB, Colo.
2021 Dual Status Commander’s Course, Fort Carson, Colo.
2023 General and Flag Officer Seminar, Cambridge, Mass.

ASSIGNMENTS

  1. March 1998 – May 1998, Personnel Officer Trainee, Kingsley Field, Ore
  2. June 1998 – December 1998, Aircraft Maintenance and Munitions Officer Trainee, Kingsley Field, Ore
  3. January 1999 – September 1999, Logistics Support Flight Commander, Kingsley Field, Ore
  4. October 1999 – February 2000, Aircraft Maintenance & Munitions Officer, Kingsley Field, Ore
  5. March 2000 – January 2003, Logistics Support Flight Commander, Kingsley Field, Ore
  6. February 2003 – September 2003, Logistics Support Flight Commander, Kingsley Field, Ore
  7. October 2003 – May 2004, Logistics Support Flight Commander, 173rd Maintenance Operations Flight, Kingsley Field, Ore.
  8. June 2004 – November 2004, Mission Support Flight Commander, 173rd Maintenance Support Flight, Kingsley Field, Ore.
  9. December 2004 – October 2005, Aircraft Maintenance & Munitions Officer, 142nd Maintenance Squadron, Portland ANG Base, Ore.
  10. October 2005 – September 2006, Maintenance Officer, 142nd Maintenance Squadron, Portland ANG Base, Ore.
  11. September 2006 – October 2011, Commander, 142nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Portland ANG Base, Ore.
  12. October 2011 – December 2012, Commander, 142nd Maintenance Squadron, Portland ANG Base, Ore
  13. December 2012 – November 2014, Deputy Commander, 142nd Maintenance Group, Portland ANG Base, Ore.
  14. November 2014 – October 2015, Deputy Commander, 154th Maintenance Group, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii
  15. October 2015 – September 2018, Commander, 154th Maintenance Group, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii
  16. September 2018 – April 2020, Director of Plans and Programs, Headquarters Hawaii ANG, Fort Ruger, Hawaii
  17. April 2020 – September 2020, Assistant Adjutant General- Air / Commander, Hawaii ANG, Fort Ruger, Hawaii
  18. October 2020 – Present, Chief of Staff / Commander, Hawaii ANG, Fort Ruger, Hawaii

MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS

  • Legion of Merit
  • Air Force Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters
  • Air Force Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters
  • Air Force Achievement Medal with oak leaf cluster
  • Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with two oak leaf clusters
  • Air Reserve Force Meritorious Service Medal with four oak leaf clusters
  • National Defense Service Medal with bronze star device
  • Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
  • Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal
  • Air Force Longevity Service Ribbon with seven oak leaf clusters
  • Armed Forces Reserve Medal with silver hourglass
  • Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon (Pistol)
  • Air Force Training Ribbon with oak leaf cluster

OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS

  • 1998 Victor P. Morris Memorial Award, Northwest Christian University
  • 1998 Commander’s Award for Military Achievement, Academy of Military Science
  • 2001 Company Grade Officer of the Year, 173rd Fighter Wing, Kingsley Field, Ore.
  • 2005 Academic Excellence Award, Advanced Maintenance and Munitions Officer School
  • 2011 Award of Excellence, Mark Hatfield School of Government, Portland State University
  • 2012 Outstanding Graduate, Air War College
  • 2013 Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society, Portland State University

OCCUPATIONAL BADGES

  • Air Force Acquisition and Financial Management Badge
  • Air Force Supply and Fuels Badge with star
  • Air Force Maintenance Badge with star and wreath

EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION

  • Second Lieutenant March 12, 1998
  • First Lieutenant March 12, 2000
  • Captain March 12, 2002
  • Major March 16, 2006
  • Lieutenant Colonel April 13, 2010
  • Colonel Dec. 1, 2015
  • Brigadier General April 24, 2020
  • Major General November 30, 2022

(Current as of Jun 2024)GSM