Chief of Staff, Washington Air National Guard
Brigadier General Craig W. Blankenstein is the Chief of Staff also serving as Vice Commander for the Washington Air National Guard. In this position, he reports to the Assistant Adjutant General for Air on matters of readiness and strategic planning for all Washington Air National Guard units.
General Blankenstein received his commission from the United States Air Force Academy in 1977. His operational experience includes Squadron Logistics Officer, Squadron Training Officer, Squadron Director of Operations, Squadron Commander and Operations Group Commander. After the events of 9-11 he volunteered to serve as special assistant to the Commander of the Western Air Defense Sector. He is a senior pilot with over 1,500 hours in T-37, T-38 and KC-135 aircraft.
1977 United States Air Force Academy, Bachelor of Science, Colorado Springs, Colorado
1982 Gonzaga University, Masters, Business Administration, Spokane, Washington
2002 Air War College, by correspondence
1. August 1977 - August 1978, Student, Undergraduate Pilot Training, Williams Air Force Base, Arizona
2. August 1978 - May 1984, KC-135 Pilot, 92nd Air Refueling Squadron, Fairchild Air Force Base, Washington
3. February 1990 - February 1993, Logistics Officer, 111th Air Support Operations Squadron, Camp Murray, Washington
4. February 1993 - May 1996, Training Officer, 111th Air Support Operations Squadron, Camp Murray, Washington
5. February 1996 - May 2000, Operations Officer, 111th Air Support Operations Squadron, Camp Murray, Washington
6. May 2000 - August 2001, Commander, 111th Air Support Operations Squadron, Camp Murray, Washington
7. August 2001 - December 2005, Director Operations, Headquarters, Washington Air National Guard, Camp Murray, Washington
8. November 2005 - Present, Chief of Staff, Washington Air National Guard, Camp Murray, Washington
Rating: Senior Pilot
Flight Hours: More than 1,500
Aircraft flown: T-37, T-38, KC-135
Pilot wings from: Williams Air Force Base, Arizona
Meritorious Service Medal (with 3 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters)
Air Force Commendation Medal, (with 1 Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster)
Air Force Achievement Medal, (with 1 Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster)
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, (with 1 Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster)
Combat Readiness Medal
National Defense Service Medal, (with 2 Bronze Stars)
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Humanitarian Service Medal (with 1 Bronze Star)
Air Force Longevity Service Award (with 1 Silver Oak Leaf Cluster and 1 Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster)
Armed Forces Reserve Medal (with “M” device and Gold Hourglass)
Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon
Air Force Training Ribbon
Washington Meritorious Service Medal
Washington Unit Citation Ribbon
Washington Recruiting and Retention Ribbon
Senior Manager in “Flight Operations Support and Training” for the Commercial Airplane Group of the Boeing Company
Outstanding Graduate, Aircraft Commander Upgrade Training, Castle Air Force Base, California
Distinguished Graduate, Squadron Officer School, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama
Second Lieutenant, June 1977
First Lieutenant, June 1979
Captain, June 1981
Major, February 1992
Lieutenant Colonel, March 1998
Colonel, June 2003
Brigadier General, March 2007
(Current as of May 2008)
The date of publication indicated on this biography reflects the most recent update. It does not necessarily reflect the date of printing.