BRIGADIER GENERAL STEPHEN M. ATKINSON

Chief of Staff, Maine Air National Guard

Brigadier General Stephen M. Atkinson is Chief of Staff, Maine Air National Guard, Maine Joint Force Headquarters, Camp Keyes, Augusta, Maine. He is a primary advisor to The Adjutant General for all Air National Guard units in Maine and ensures the combat readiness and mission capability of an Air Refueling Wing and two Geographically Separated Units. General Atkinson is responsible for the command, control and operations of plans and programs affecting more than 1,100 Maine Air National Guard personnel located in Augusta, Bangor and South Portland. General Atkinson also serves as the A4, Assistant to the Director, Air National Guard. He serves as a primary advisor to the Director for all logistics matters to include, but not limited to supply, maintenance, transportation, acquisition logistics, installation/facility and environmental issues.

General Atkinson joined the Air Force and was commissioned in November 1977 through the Academy of Military Science, Knoxville, Tennessee. After completion of pilot training, he was assigned to Bangor Air National Guard Base, Maine. He served in numerous flying and operations assignments and held squadron, group and wing command positions.

EDUCATION:

1975 University of Maine, Bachelor of Science, Microbiology, Orono, Maine
2000 United States Air War College, by Correspondence

ASSIGNMENTS:

1. November 1977 - December 1978, Pilot Trainee, 132nd Air Refueling Squadron, Bangor, Maine
2. December 1978 - February 1980, Co-pilot, 132nd Air Refueling Squadron, Bangor, Maine
3. February 1980 - November 1982, Pilot, 132nd Air Refueling Squadron, Bangor, Maine
4. November 1982 - May 1989, Aircraft Commander, 132nd Air Refueling Squadron, Bangor, Maine
5. May 1989 - July 1993, Chief of Scheduling, 101st Air Refueling Wing, Bangor, Maine
6. July 1993 - January 1994, Quality Assurance Officer in Charge, 101st Consolidated Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Bangor, Maine
7. January 1994 - October 1995, Quality Assurance Officer in Charge, 101st Logistics Group, Bangor, Maine
8. October 1995 - November 1999, Commander, 101st Maintenance Squadron, Bangor, Maine
9. November 1999 - June 2000, Commander, 132nd Air Refueling Squadron, Bangor, Maine
10. June 2000 - August 2002, Commander, 101st Logistics Group, Bangor, Maine
11. August 2002 - April 2005, Commander, 101st Operations Group, Bangor, Maine
12. April 2005 - October 2008, Commander, 101st Air Refueling Wing, Bangor, Maine
13. October 2008 - Present, Chief of Staff, Maine Air National Guard, Augusta, Maine

FLIGHT INFORMATION:

Rating: Command Pilot
Flight hours: More than 5,400
Aircraft flown: T-37, T-38, T-41, KC-135A, KC-135E, KC-135R
Pilot wings from: Vance Air Force Base, Oklahoma

AWARDS AND DECORATIONS:

Meritorious Service Medal (with 2 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters)
Air Medal (with 1 Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster)
Aerial Achievement Medal
Air Force Commendation Medal
Air Force Achievement Medal
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award (with 1 Silver and 4 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters)
Combat Readiness Medal (with 2 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters)
National Defense Service Medal (with 1 Bronze Service Star)
Kosovo Campaign Medal (with 1 Bronze Service Star)
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Armed Forces Service Medal (with 1 Bronze Service Star)
Air Force Longevity Service (with 1 Silver and 1 Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster)
Armed Forces Reserve Medal (with Silver Hourglass and M Device)
Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon (with 1 Bronze Star)
Air Force Training Ribbon

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS & AFFILIATIONS:

National Guard Association of the United States
National Guard Association of the State of Maine

EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION:

Second Lieutenant 3 November 1977
First Lieutenant 4 June 1980
Captain 7 November 1982
Major 17 April 1987
Lieutenant Colonel 4 September 1996
Colonel 18 September 2002
Brigadier General 3 July 2009

(Current as of September 2011)