BRIGADIER GENERAL RYAN T. OKAHARA
Brig Gen. Ryan T. Okahara is the Mobilization Assistant to the Commander, U.S. Space Command (USSPACECOM), Peterson AFB, Colorado. In this position, he assists the Commander in shaping space policy, developing plans and conducting operations to ensure U.S. joint forces and allied partners are prepared to deter aggression, defend freedom of action and deliver space combat power in, from and through the space domain.
General Okahara received his commission through Air Force ROTC as a distinguished graduate from the University of Hawaii at Manoa in 1990. He completed Undergraduate Space Training at Lowery AFB, Co. and Space Operations Combat Crew Training at Peterson AFB, Co. in 1991. In 1996, he resigned his regular commission and entered the Air Force Reserve as an individual mobilization augmentee to Air Force Space Command and the Air Force Reserve Operations Readiness and Plans Directorate at the Pentagon. In 1998, General Okahara joined the Hawaii Air National Guard (HIANG) and served in multiple leadership assignments at the Squadron, Group and Headquarters level before serving as the Commander, HIANG. During his service in the HIANG, he simultaneously served in leadership positions at HQ Pacific Air Forces, 14th Air Force and Combined Force Space Component Command (USSPACECOM). Prior to his current assignment, he served as the Air National Guard Assistant to the Commander, Space Operations Command (U.S. Space Force).
EDUCATION
1990 Bachelor of Science in Math and Physics, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, Hawaii
1992 Master of Arts in Human Resource Management, Webster University, St Louis, Missouri
1999 SOS, non-residence
2002 ACSC, non-residence2005 Contingency Wartime Planning, Maxwell Air Force Base
2006 Air War College (AirWC), by correspondence
2014 Advanced Joint Professional Military Education, in residence
2015 Interim Guard Senior Leader Training (IGSLT), in residence
2015 Senior Executive Orientation Course, Daniel K. Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies, in residence
2016 Dual Status Commanders Course (NORTHCOM), in residence
2016 Joint Task Force Commanders Course (NORTHCOM), in residence
2018 Enterprise Perspective Seminar (EPS), Capitol Hill Club, Washington, D.C.
2019 National Security Studies Management Course (NSSMC), Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY
2020 China and the Far East Seminar, Capitol Hill Club, Washington, D.C.
2020 Enterprise Leadership Seminar (ELS), University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC
ASSIGNMENTS
1. May 1991 - July 1991, Student, Undergraduate Space Training, Lowery AFB, Colo.
2. July 1991 - October 1991, Student, Space Operations Combat Crew Training, Peterson AFB, Colo.
3. October 1991 - March 1993, Deputy Satellite Operations Crew Commander, 2nd Space Warning Squadron, Buckley ANGB, Colo.
4. March 1993 - September 1993, Satellite Operations Crew Commander, 2nd Space Warning Squadron, Buckley ANGB, Colo.
5. September 1993 - December 1994, Satellite Operations Crew Commander, Classified Location
6. December 1994 - September 1996, Chief of Training & Standardization/Evaluations, Classified Location
7. September 1996 - September 1998, Deputy Chief of Space Based Warning, Headquarters Air Force Space Command, Peterson AFB, Colo.
8. September 1998 - March 2003, Executive Support /Plans Officer, Headquarters Hawaii ANG, Fort Ruger, Hawaii
9. March 2003 - May 2003, Chief of Operations, 201st Combat Communication Group, Hickam AFB, Hawaii
10. May 2003 - October 2005, Commander, 292nd Combat Communication Squadron, Kahului, Maui, Hawaii
11. October 2005 - March 2010, Director of Plans & Programs, Headquarters, Hawaii ANG, Fort Ruger, Hawaii
12. March 2010 - June 2014, Commander, 154th Mission Support Group, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, deployment; July 2012 - January 2013, Director of Staff, 379th Air Expeditionary Wing, Qatar Southwest Asia
13. June 2014 - January 2015, Assistant Adjutant General, Headquarters Hawaii ANG, Fort Ruger, Hawaii
14. January 2015 - May 2016, Chief of Staff, Headquarters Hawaii ANG, Fort Ruger, Hawaii
15. May 2016 - October 2016, Assistant Adjutant General, Headquarters Hawaii ANG, Fort Ruger, Hawaii
16. October 2016 - April 2020, Chief of Staff, Honolulu, Hawaii; dual-hatted, October 2016 -Present, Assistant to the Commander, 14th Air Force (14AF/CC), Air Force Space Command and Combined Force Space Component Command, U.S. Space Command, Vandenberg AFB, Calif.
17. May 2020 - March 2021, Air National Guard Assistant to the Commander, United States Space Operations Command, Peterson AFB, CO
18. April 2021 - Present, Mobilization Assistant to the Commander, National Guard Matters, United States Space Command, Peterson AFB, Colo.
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster
Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Air Force Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Meritorious Unit Award
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with three oak leaf clusters
Air Force Organizational Excellence Award with two oak leaf clusters
Combat Readiness Medal
National Defense Service Medal with star device
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal
Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal
Air Force Overseas Service Ribbon – Short Tour
Air Force Overseas Service Ribbon – Long Tour
Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon with Gold Border
Air Force Longevity Service Award with silver oak leaf cluster
Armed Forces Reserve Medal with M device
Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon
Air Force Training Ribbon
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant May 13, 1990
First Lieutenant Nov. 11, 1992
Captain Nov. 11, 1994
Major Dec. 2, 2000
Lieutenant Colonel March 31, 2005
Colonel July 8, 2009
Brigadier General July 1, 2014
(Current as of May 2021)
