Retired effective Oct 23, 1997
Brigadier General Allen
J. Henderson is the chief of staff, North Dakota Air National Guard.
He graduated from Fargo Central High School in May 1955. He graduated from North Dakota State University, Fargo, N.D., in 1961 with a bachelor of science degree in mechanical engineering. He was a graduate assistant in the mechanical engineering department from 1961-1962. He received his master of science degree in engineering valuation from Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa in 1965 and his doctor of philosophy degree in industrial engineering in 1968. His military education includes the National Security Management Course in 1984.
General Henderson began his military career in 1954 as an enlisted member of the North Dakota ANG and in January 1957, he was commissioned a second lieutenant. He attended pilot training at Moore Air Base, Texas, from November 1957 to July 1958, and at Greenville Air Force Base, Miss., from July 1958 to January 1959. From January 1959 to July 1959, he attended Fighter Interceptor School at Perrin AFB, Texas. Upon completion, he was assigned to the 178th Fighter Interceptor Squadron, North Dakota ANG, as a pilot. In 1963, he transferred to the 124th FIS, Iowa ANG, Des Moines, Iowa, where he remained as a fighter interceptor pilot until he transferred to the 178th FIS, North Dakota ANG in September 1970.
General Henderson served as air operations staff officer with the 119th Fighter Interceptor Group North Dakota ANG, Fargo, N.D. from October 1970 to September 1971. In October 1971, he was reassigned as group air operations officer until May 1981. He was appointed as unit commander pilot fighter, 178th FIS, North Dakota ANG in May 1981. In June 1983, he was named deputy commander for operations, 119th FIG, until he was appointed as director of operations in July 1984. In November 1984, General Henderson was named air operations staff director, pilot, Headquarters, North Dakota ANG, Bismarck, N.D. In October 1987, he was renamed to the position of director of operations, Headquarters, North Dakota ANG, where he remained until he was appointed to the position of assistant adjutant general for air on June 26, 1989. In June 1996, he was appointed to his current position as chief of staff, Headquarters, North Dakota ANG, Fargo, N.D.
General Henderson is a command pilot with over 3,800 hours in the C-130A, T-33, F-4, F-101B/F and the F-102 aircraft. His military awards and decorations include the Air Force Commendation Medal, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with two devices, Combat Readiness Medal with seven devices, Air Force Longevity Service Award Ribbon with seven devices, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with two hourglass devices, Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon, Air Force Training Ribbon, North Dakota Service Ribbon with twenty year device, North Dakota National Guard Basic Training Ribbon.
In his civilian life, he has served as chairman and professor, Department of Industrial Engineering and Management, North Dakota State University, since 1978. General Henderson is also a consulting engineer. He has been a registered professional engineer in the state of North Dakota since 1975. From 1975 to 1978, he was assistant to the president at North Dakota State University, and acted as a coordinator and liaison to all academic areas. From 1969 to 1975, he was an assistant and associate professor of industrial engineering.
The general's civic affiliations include American Institute of Industrial Engineers; American Society for Engineering Education; National Association of Industrial Engineering Department Heads; National Society of Professional Engineers, North Dakota section; Chairman, Salem Evangelical Free Church, Fargo, N.D.
General Henderson was promoted to and federally recognized as a brigadier general on March 14, 1996.
(Current as of February 2001)
The date of publication indicated on this biography reflects the most recent update. It does not necessarily reflect the date of printing.