BRIGADIER GENERAL ALAN W. PALMER

Retired, May 31, 2010

Assistant Adjutant General - Air, North Dakota National Guard

Brigadier General Alan W. Palmer is Assistant Adjutant General - Air, North Dakota National Guard.

General Palmer began his military career with United States Air Force enlisted service beginning in 1972. After serving as an Electronic Warfare Specialist in several assignments including a tour in Thailand, he joined the North Dakota Air National Guard in 1981. He served as a Maintenance Officer and Supervisor prior to serving in several command positions. Commands included the 119th Supply Squadron, 119th Maintenance Squadron, 119th Logistics Squadron, and the 119th Support Group. General Palmer served as the State J-5 in Joint Force Headquarters during the transition from an Air National Guard State Headquarters to the current Joint Force Headquarters.

EDUCATION:

1984 University of North Dakota, Bachelor of Science, Aeronautical Studies, Grand Forks North Dakota
2000 Air War College, by correspondence

ASSIGNMENTS:

1. May 1985 - April 1989, Aircraft Maintenance Officer, 119th Maintenance Squadron, Hector International Airport, Fargo, North Dakota
2. April 1989 - April 1991, Avionics Maintenance Officer, 119th Maintenance Squadron, Hector International Airport, Fargo, North Dakota
3. April 1991 - May 1995, Organizational Maintenance Officer, 119th Maintenance Squadron, Hector International Airport, Fargo, North Dakota
4. May 1995 - May 1996, Chief of Supply, 119th Logistics Squadron, Hector International Airport, Fargo, North Dakota
5. May 1996 - May 1997, Commander, 119th Logistics Squadron, Hector International Airport, Fargo, North Dakota
6. May 1997 - December 1998, Commander, 119th Maintenance Squadron, Hector International Airport, Fargo, North Dakota
7. December 1998 - December 1999, Commander, 119th Logistics Group, Hector International Airport, Fargo, North Dakota
8. December 1999 - October 2001, Commander, 119th Support Group, Hector International Airport, Fargo, North Dakota
9. October 2001 - October 2003, Executive Officer, Headquarters, North Dakota Air National Guard, Fraine Barracks, Bismarck, North Dakota
10. October 2003 - March 2006, Executive Officer/J-5, North Dakota Joint Force Headquarters, North Dakota National Guard, Bismarck, North Dakota
11. March 2006 - February 2010, Chief of Staff, North Dakota Air National Guard, Hector International Airport, Fargo, North Dakota
12. February 2010 - May 2010, Assistant Adjutant General - Air, North Dakota National Guard, Fargo, North Dakota

AWARDS AND DECORATIONS:

Meritorious Service Medal (with 1 Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster)
Air Force Commendation Medal
Air Force Achievement Medal
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award (with 1 Silver and 1 Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster)
Air Force Good Conduct Medal
Air Reserve Forces Meritorious Service Medal
National Defense Service Medal (with 2 Service Stars)
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Humanitarian Service Medal
Air Force Overseas Ribbon (Short Tour)
Air Force Longevity Service Award Ribbon (with 1 Silver and 3 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters)
Armed Forces Reserve Medal (with Silver Hourglass and 'M' Device)
United States Air Force Non-Commissioned Officer Professional Military Education Graduate Ribbon
Air Force Training Ribbon (with 1 Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster)
North Dakota State Achievement Ribbon
North Dakota Air National Guard OCONUS Ribbon
North Dakota Air National Guard Recruiting Ribbon (with 1 Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster)
North Dakota National Guard Emergency Service Ribbon
North Dakota National Guard Service Ribbon (with 1 Silver Hourglass)
North Dakota National Guard Basic Training Ribbon

CIVILIAN OCCUPATION:

Director of Flight Operations, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, North Dakota

OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS:

Honor Graduate Aircraft Maintenance Officer Course, August 1986
Airline Transport Pilot, over 9,200 flight hours
Designated Pilot Examiner
North Dakota Pilots Association, founding member
United States Air Force Association, member since 1975
Reserve Office Association, Grand Forks chapter president since 1985

EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTIONS:

Second Lieutenant May 30, 1985
First Lieutenant June 6, 1987
Captain July 15, 1989
Major January 8, 1994
Lieutenant Colonel July 12, 1998
Colonel May 8, 2002
Brigadier General May 3, 2006

(Current as of June 2010)