General Officer Biography

BRIGADIER GENERAL BRUCE THOMPSON

Retired 10 October 2012

Chief of Staff, Delaware Air National Guard

Brigadier General Bruce Thompson was the Chief of Staff, Delaware Air National Guard. He served as the principle advisor to the Commander of the Delaware Air National Guard for all Air National Guard issues. He was responsible for assisting the planning, directing and administering programs for approximately 1,100 Air National Guard personnel within the state. He was further responsible for providing trained, equipped and mission ready forces in support of federal mobilization requirements and state emergency operations. He developed plans, programs and policies in support of the Delaware C-130 Wing and maintains liaison with major commands and the National Guard Bureau.

General Thompson received his commission through the Air National Guard Academy of Military Science in 1980. He earned his pilot wings in 1981 from Reese Air Force Base, Texas. General Thompson was an Instructor and Standardization/Evaluation Pilot for the C-130 Aircraft with 32 combat sorties and 197 combat support sorties. He served as Commander, 166th Airlift Wing and is a veteran of Operations Desert Shield, Desert Storm, Noble Eagle, Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. General Thompson was a command pilot with over 4,500 hours in the C-130A, C-130H2, T-37 and T-38.

EDUCATION:

1979 West Chester University, Bachelor of Science, Business Administration, Pennsylvania
2001 Air War College, Correspondence
2008 Joint Task Force Commander Course, United States Northern Command, Colorado Springs, Colorado
2011 Embry-Riddle University, Master of Science, Management, Daytona Beach, Florida

ASSIGNMENTS:

1. April 1980 - April 1981, Student, Undergraduate Pilot Training, Reese Air Force Base, Texas
2. April 1981 - April 1990, Pilot, C-130, 142nd Tactical Airlift Squadron, New Castle, Greater William Airport, New Castle, Delaware
3. April 1990 - April 1992, Aircraft Commander, C-130H, 142nd Airlift Squadron, New Castle County Airport, Delaware
4. April 1992 - December 1993, Flight Commander, C-130H, 142nd Airlift Squadron, New Castle County Airport, Delaware
5. December 1993 - December 1995, Chief Pilot, 142nd Airlift Squadron, New Castle County Airport, Delaware
6. December 1995 - September 1999, Operations Officer, 142nd Airlift Squadron, New Castle County Airport, Delaware
7. September 1999 - May 2001, Commander, 142nd Airlift Squadron, New Castle County Airport, Delaware
8. May 2001 - May 2005, Commander, 166th Operations Group, New Castle County Airport, Delaware
9. May 2005 - May 2007, Commander, 166th Airlift Wing, New Castle County Airport, Delaware
10. May 2007 - January 2009, Director of Operations, Joint Force Headquarters, Delaware Air National Guard, New Castle County Airport, Delaware
11. January 2009 - September 2012, Chief of Staff, Headquarters, Delaware Air National Guard, New Castle County Airport, Delaware

FLIGHT INFORMATION:

Rating: Command Pilot
Flight Hours: More than 4,500
Aircraft Flown: C-130A, C-130H2, T-37, T-38
Pilot wings from: Reese Air Force Base, Texas

AWARDS AND DECORATIONS:

Legion of Merit
Meritorious Service Medal (with 2 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters)
Air Medal
Aerial Achievement Medal
Air Force Commendation Medal
Air Force Achievement Medal (with 1 Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster)
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award
Air Force Organizational Excellence Award
Combat Readiness Medal (with 1 Silver and 4 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters)
National Defense Service Medal (with 1 Bronze Star)
Southwest Asia Service Medal (with 3 Bronze Service Stars)
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Armed Forces Service Medal
Air Force Longevity Service Award (with 4 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters)
Armed Forces Reserve Medal (with Silver Hour Glass, 'M' Device and Numeral 2)
Air Force Training Ribbon
Kuwait Liberation Medal Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Kuwait Liberation Medal Government of Kuwait
Delaware National Guard Conspicuous Service Cross
Delaware National Guard Medal for Military Merit (with Bronze Numeral 2)
Delaware National Guard Medal (with Bronze Numeral 2)
Delaware National Guard National Defense Service Ribbon
Delaware National Guard Medal for Service in Aid to Civil Authority

EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION:

Second Lieutenant 10 April 1980
First Lieutenant 10 April 1983
Captain 27 October 1986
Major 4 October 1992
Lieutenant Colonel 6 October 1996
Colonel 21 March 2002
Brigadier General 30 January 2009

 

 

(Current as of October 2012)

 

The date of publication indicated on this biography reflects the most recent update. It does not necessarily reflect the date of printing.

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