BRIGADIER GENERAL MICHAEL A. FERRARIO
Brig. Gen. Michael A. Ferrario is Special Assistant to the Chief of Staff – Air, South Carolina National Guard at McEntire Joint National Guard Base, South Carolina. He is responsible for the mission readiness, operations, and coordination of more than 1,400 Airmen and $103 million operating budget in supporting both the state and federal mission.
General Ferrario received his commission as a graduate of the University of Michigan AFROTC program in 1996. He is a command pilot and highly experienced F-16 Instructor Pilot, Flight Examiner, Combat Search and Rescue Pilot, and Mission Commander with over 4400 flying hours in the F-16. He has flown over 700 hours in combat and has flown combat missions in Operations IRAQI FREEDOM, ENDURING FREEDOM, and INHERENT RESOLVE with combat support missions in Operation NORTHERN WATCH.
Prior to his current duties, Gen Ferrario served as Commander of the 169th Fighter Wing with a responsibility to organize, train, and equip the largest operational F-16 wing in the Air National Guard while maintaining a 2,400 acre federal military installation with five South Carolina Army National Guard tenant units and provide 24/7 Air Sovereignty for the Southeast United States.
EDUCATION
1996 Bachelor of Science in Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, University of Michigan, Mich.
2002 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.
2012 Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2012 Master of Military Operational Art and Science, Air University, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2019 Air War College, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
ASSIGNMENTS
1. August 1996 - November 1997, Special Assistant to the Commander, University of Michigan, Mich.
2. November 1997 - March 1999, Student, Undergraduate Pilot Training, Laughlin AFB, Texas
3. April 1999 - May 1999, Student, Introduction to Fighter Fundamentals, Sheppard AFB, Texas
4. June 1999 - December 1999, F-16C Student, 61st Fighter Squadron, Luke AFB, Ariz.
5. February 2000 - February 2001, F-16 Pilot, Scheduling Officer, 36th Fighter Squadron, Osan AB, Republic of Korea
6. February 2001 - September 2003, F-16 Instructor Pilot, Flight Commander, 4th Fighter Squadron, Hill AFB, Utah
7. September 2003 - May 2006, F-16 Instructor/Evaluator Pilot, Flight Commander, 466th Fighter Squadron, Hill AFB, Utah
8. May 2006 - April 2008, F-16 Operational Test and Evaluation Instructor Pilot, Asst Director of Operations, Eglin AFB, Fla.
9. April 2008 - March 2009, F-16 Instructor Pilot, HQ USAFCENT Weapons Staff, Shaw AFB, S.C.
10. April 2009 - June 2013, F-16 Evaluator Pilot, Asst Director of Operations, 157th Fighter Squadron, McEntire JNGB, S.C.
11. June 2013 - April 2017, F-16 Instructor/Evaluator Pilot, Program Manager, 169th Fighter Wing, McEntire JNGB, S.C.
12. April 2017 - May 2018, Director of Operations, 157th Fighter Squadron, McEntire JNGB, S.C.
13. May 2018 - June 2020, Commander, 157th Fighter Squadron, McEntire JNGB, S.C.
14. June 2020 - February 2021, Deputy Commander, 169th Operations Group, McEntire JNGB, S.C.
15. February 2021 - April 2023, Commander, 169th Operations Group, McEntire JNGB, S.C.
16. April 2023 - August 2023, JFHQ-SC/A3, McEntire JNGB, S.C.
17. August 2023 - August 2024, Commander, 169th Fighter Wing, McEntire JNGB, S.C.
18. August 2024 - present, Special Assistant to the Chief of Staff – Air, South Carolina National Guard, McEntire JNGB, S.C.
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Rating: command pilot
Flight hours: more than 4,600; combat hours: 700
Aircraft flown: F-16, T-38, T-37
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Legion of Merit
Meritorious Service Medal with five oak leaf clusters
Air Medal with six oak leaf clusters
Aerial Achievement Medal with oak leaf cluster
Air and Space Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Air and Space Achievement Medal with oak leaf cluster
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant July 17, 1996
First Lieutenant July 17, 1998
Captain July 17, 2000
Major July 1, 2006
Lieutenant Colonel March 16, 2012
Colonel Feb. 1, 2021
Brigadier General Sept. 30, 2024
(Current as of December 2024)
