Brigadier General Rex W. Tanberg, Jr. is the Assistant Adjutant General for Air, Joint Force Headquarters, Montana. He develops, promulgates, and implements the JF HQ-MT strategy, planning guidance and future plans for 3,500 Soldiers and Airmen. Advises and assists the Commanding General, Montana National Guard, with implementing transformation and strategic initiative opportunities.
Brigadier General Tanberg's military career began in 1966 when he enlisted in the Montana Air National Guard, and worked on the flight line as an F-102 Avionics Crew Chief. He was commissioned in August 1970, graduated from Undergraduate Pilot Training, and became a combat-ready fighter pilot in 1972. He was assigned as a squadron pilot in the 186th Fighter Squadron, flying F-102 and F-106 aircraft from 1972-1986. In that period, he held positions including Unit Safety Officer, Training Officer, Scheduling Officer, and 186th Fighter Squadron Operations Officer.
Following conversion to the F-16 aircraft in 1986, Brigadier General Tanberg was assigned as the Deputy Commander for Operations in 1989, and became the Vice Commander for the 120th Fighter Wing in 1994. In January of 1995, Brigadier General Tanberg completed a 90-day tour as Deputy Director of Plans, Programs and Operations, National Guard Bureau, Pentagon. He was selected to be the Commander of the 120th Fighter Wing on 1 July 1998. Brigadier General Tanberg was selected the Chief of Staff for the Montana Air National Guard in October 2001. He was appointed Assistant Adjutant General for Air, Joint Force Headquarters, Montana in March 2005.
1988 Bachelor of Science, Liberal Arts, New York Regents College
1971 Undergraduate Pilot Training
1975 Squadron Officers School
1976 Air Force Intelligence School
1979 Air Force Safety Officers School
1981 Air Command and Staff College
1992 Air War College In-Residence
1. December 1966 - July 1970, enlisted, Montana Air National Guard, F-102 Avionics Crew Chief, 120th Fighter Wing, Great Falls IAP, MT
2. August 1970 - commissioned
3. September 1970 - September 1971, student, Undergraduate Pilot Training
4. March 1972 - December 1986, Pilot, 186FS, F-102 and F-106 aircraft
5. November 1977 - September 1982, Unit Safety Officer
6. October 1982 - September 1984, Scheduling Officer
7. October 1984 - July 1986, Training Officer
8. January 1987 - present, Pilot, 120th FW, F-16 aircraft
9. July 1986 - January 1989, 186th Fighter Squadron Operations Officer
10. February 1989 - June 1992, Deputy Commander for Operations
11. July 1992 - June 1994, Operations Group Commander
12. July 1994 - June 1998, Vice Commander 120th Fighter Wing
13. December 1994 - March 1995, Deputy Director of Plans, Programs and Operations, National Guard Bureau, Pentagon
14. July 1998 - October 2001, Commander of the 120th Fighter Wing
15. October 2001 - October 2003, Chief of Staff for the Montana Air National Guard
16. October 2003 - Present, Deputy Commander, Joint Force Headquarters, Montana
17. March 2005 - Present, Assistant Adjutant General for Air, Joint Force Headquarters, Montana
Rating: Command pilot
Flight hours: More than 5,000 hours
Aircraft flown: F-102, C-131, F-106, and F-16
Meritorious Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster
Air Force Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster
Air Force Achievement Medal with one oak leaf cluster
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with four oak leaf clusters
Combat Readiness Medal with one silver oak leaf cluster and one oak leaf cluster
Air Reserve Forces Meritorious Service Medal
National Defense Service Medal with two bronze service stars
Humanitarian Service Medal
Air Force Longevity Service Medal with seven oak leaf clusters
Armed Forces Reserve Medal with gold hourglass and one bronze mobilized device
Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon with one bronze star
Air Force Training Ribbon with one oak leaf cluster
Second Lieutenant August 4, 1970
First Lieutenant August 4, 1973
Captain August 4, 1975
Major September 13, 1980
Lieutenant Colonel August 15, 1986
Colonel December 13, 1992
Brigadier General July 1, 2002
(Current as of August 2005)
The date of publication indicated on this biography reflects the most recent update. It does not necessarily reflect the date of printing.