Brigadier General Samuel G. deGeneres is currently assigned as the chief of staff who also serves as commander of the Louisiana Air National Guard. As chief of staff/commander, General deGeneres is responsible for advising the adjutant general and the assistant adjutant general (air) on matters relating to Headquarters Louisiana Air National Guard staff functions and activities. He provides direction to staff functions including operations, support, staff judge advocate, state surgeon, and communications. General deGeneres coordinates staff activities to ensure compliance with instructions and directives and the timely completion of assigned projects, plans, and programs.
General deGeneres began his military career with the United States Air Force in September 1968. He received his commission in March 1969 as a pilot trainee. In his early assignments with the Air Force he served as assistant operations officer and flight training instructor. Since his appointment in the Louisiana Air National Guard in April 1984, General deGeneres has served in numerous positions prior to assuming his current position as the chief of staff. He is a command pilot with more than 2,921 flying hours.
1. March 1969 - June 1970, student, undergraduate pilot training, 3561st Student Squadron, Webb Air Force Base, Texas
2. June 1970 - February 1973, instructor pilot trainee and assistant operations officer, 3389th Pilot Training Squadron, Keesler Air Force Base, Miss.
3. February 1973 - April 1974, flight training instructor, 90th Flying Training Squadron, Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas
4. April 1974 - August 1974, air operations officer, 159th Tactical Fighter Group, USNAS, New Orleans, La.
5. August 1974 - July 1975, tactical fighter pilot, 122nd Tactical Fighter Squadron, USNAS, New Orleans, La.
6. July 1975 - August 1976, commander, D flight, 122nd Tactical Fighter Squadron, USNAS, New Orleans, La.
7. August 1976 - August 1978, tactical fighter pilot, D flight, 122nd Tactical Fighter Squadron, USNAS, New Orleans, La.
8. August 1978 - July 1985, B flight commander, 122nd Tactical Fighter Squadron, USNAS, New Orleans, La.
9. July 1985 - January 1987, commander, 122nd Tactical Fighter Squadron, USNAS, New Orleans, La.
10. January 1987 - June 1989, deputy commander of maintenance, 159th Tactical Fighter Group, USNAS, New Orleans, La.
11. June 1989 - May 1992, director of operations, Headquarters Lousiana Air National Guard, New Orleans, La.
7. May 1992 - September 1993, assistant adjutant general, Headquarters Louisiana Air National Guard, New Orleans, La.
8. September 1993 - February 1996, commander, Headquarters Louisiana Air National Guard, New Orleans, La.
9. February 1996 - May 2000, assistant adjutant general, Headquarters Louisiana Air National Guard, New Orleans, La.
10. May 2000 - present, chief of staff, Headquarters Louisiana Air National Guard, New Orleans, La.
Rating: Command pilot
Flight hours: More than 2,921
Aircraft flown: F-100, F-4A, F-15C, T-37, T-38, T-28, T-29
Pilot wings from: Webb Air Force Base, Texas
Legion of Merit
Meritorious Service Medal
Air Force Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with two oak leaf clusters
Air Force Organizational Excellence Award with three oak leaf clusters
Combat Readiness Medal with silver oak leaf cluster
National Defense Service Medal with bronze service star
Humanitarian Service Medal
Air Force Longevity Service Ribbon with five oak leaf clusters
Armed Forces Reserve Medal with hourglass device
Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon with bronze service star
Air Force Training Ribbon
Louisiana Legion of Merit
Louisiana Emergency Service Ribbon
Louisiana Longevity Ribbon with three fleur de lis
Vice-president and general manager of Dick Barker, Inc.
Secretary and treasurer of Barker Leasing Co.
Owner of Oil Belt Land and Development Co.
Owner of Oil Belt Leasing
Past chairman of Houma-Terrebonne Airport Commission (1974-1985)
Past president of Houma Automobile Dealer's Association
Past president of St. Francis deSales School Board
Past president of the Houma-Terrebonne Carnival Club.
Second Lieutenant Mar 31, 1969
First Lieutenant Sep 30, 1970
Captain Mar 30, 1972
Major Nov 30, 1978
Lieutenant Colonel Jun 21, 1985
Colonel Jun 17, 1989
Brigadier General Sept 23, 1994
The date of publication indicated on this biography reflects the most recent update. It does not necessarily reflect the date of printing.