Brigadier General Braden K. Sakai
Brigadier General Braden K. Sakai is Commander, 154th Wing, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii. He is responsible for the implementation, maintenance and oversight of all Wing programs, as well as providing mission support to subordinate Wing Unit Commanders and other attendant units on four geographically separated Hawaiian Islands. The 154th Wing represents the major air component organization of the Hawaii National Guard. It is the largest Wing in the United States Air National Guard, with approximately 2,000 officers and enlisted personnel. The 154th Wing operates and maintains the C-17A, KC-135R and F-22A. In partnership with the 15th Wing, the 154th Wing employs Total Force combat and peacetime support to operations across the State of Hawaii and throughout the world.
General Sakai was commissioned in the Hawaii Air National Guard in October 1984 through the Academy Military Science at McGhee-Tyson Air National Guard Base, Knoxville, Tennessee. He is a Command pilot with approximately 3,700 total flying hours in the F-22, C-17, F-15, C-130 (dual qualified), F-4, and both the T-37 and T-38.
EDUCATION
1983 Bachelor of Arts in Education, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Manoa, Hawaii
1997 SOS, by correspondence
2000 ACSC, by correspondence
2005 Air War College (AirWC), by correspondence
2011 Advanced Joint Professional Military Education
2012 SLOC, by in residence
ASSIGNMENTS
1. August 2011 - May 2016, Commander, 154th Wing
2. May 2016 - October 2016, Chief of Staff, Honolulu, HI
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Rating: Command Pilot
Flight Hours: Approximately 3,700
Aircraft Flown: T-37, T-38A/B, F-4C, F-15A/B/C/D, C-130, C-17A and F-22A
AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Legion of Merit
Meritorious Service Medal with one Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster
Air Force Achievement Medal with one Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Valor Device and one Silver Oak Leaf Cluster
Combat Readiness Medal with one Silver Oak Leaf Cluster and three Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters
National Defense Service Medal with one Bronze Service Star
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Humanitarian Service Medal
Air Force Longevity Service Ribbon with three Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters
Armed Forces Reserve Medal with Silver Hourglass
Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon (Pistol)
Air Force Training Ribbon
Hawaii State Active Duty Ribbon
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
1986 F-4C Academic Award
1988 F-15 Outstanding Graduate
1995 Unit Compliance Inspection Outstanding Performer
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant Oct. 18, 1984
First Lieutenant Mar. 8, 1987
Captain Feb. 2, 1990
Major Oct. 18, 1997
Lieutenant Colonel Oct. 19, 2001
Colonel Mar. 12, 2009
Brigadier General May 17, 2012
(Current as of February 2017)
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