MAJOR GENERAL BRIAN M. SIMPLER
Retired
Maj. Gen. Brian M. Simpler served as the Mobilization Assistant to the Combatant Commander, United States North American Aerospace Defense Command, Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado, where he advised on all policies and programs relating to the Reserve Forces. He assisted the Commander to organize, equip, and operate air defense forces for North America, including the three distinct mission sets: Aerospace Warning, Aerospace Control, and Maritime Warning. Additionally, he served as a NORAD and NORTHCOM Assessor, executed delegated duties assigned by the Commander of NORAD and NORTHCOM, in response to homeland activities.
Prior to his current assignment, Maj. Gen. Simpler was the Air National Guard Assistant to the Commander, Continental United States North American Aerospace Defense Command Region and First Air Force (Air Forces Northern), Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla., where he advised on all policies and programs relating to the Air National Guard. He assisted the Commander to organize, equip and operate air defense forces for the continental U.S., including the three distinct missions: homeland air defense for the continental United States, aerial support of civil authorities, and theater security cooperation for North America. Additionally, he also served as the NORAD Deputy Combined Forces Air Component Commander and served as the United States Air Force Title 10 Responsible Officer in the absence of the commander.
General Simpler received his commission from the United States Air Force Academy in May 1989 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Humanities. He then completed undergraduate pilot training at Reese Air Force Base, Lubbock, Texas, where he was named a Distinguished Graduate. He participated in military operations to include Operations PROVIDE COMFORT, NORTHERN WATCH and SOUTHERN WATCH. General Simpler joined the Florida Air National Guard in 1998 and held numerous positions at the 125th Fighter Wing. He also served as the Assistant Adjutant General - Air, Florida National Guard and as the Commander, Florida Air National Guard. General Simpler was responsible for mission readiness, operations, and coordination of eleven Florida Air National Guard (FLANG) units at seven geographically separated sites. His scope of responsibility included $550 million in facilities and equipment, $750 million in aircraft, $120 million in operating budgets, and command of 2,000 personnel.
EDUCATION
1989 Bachelor of Science, Humanities, United States Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colo.
1996 Squadron Officer School (SOS), Maxwell Air Force Base (AFB), Ala.
2003 Air Command and Staff College (ACSC), Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2008 Air War College (AWC), Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2013 Commander Development Course, Joint Base (JB) Andrews, Md.
2016 Dual Status Commanders Course (DSC), Peterson AFB, Colo.
2016 Joint Air and Space Operations Senior Staff Course, Hurlburt AFB, Fla.
2016 Joint Task Force Commanders Training Course (JCTC), Peterson AFB, Colo.
2017 Continuous Process Improvement for Executives (CPIE), JB Andrews, Md.
2017 Senior Leader Orientation Course (SLOC), JB Andrews, Md.
2017 Masters of Science, Management and Leadership, Western Governor's University, Salt Lake City, Utah
2018 Regional Seminar - Middle East/Southwest Asia, Washington, D.C.
2019 Leading Strategically (LS), Center for Creative Leadership, Colorado Springs, Colo.
2019 Regional Studies Seminar - Africa, Washington, D.C.
2019 Regional Studies Seminar - Transnational, Washington, D.C.
2021 Advanced Senior Leader Development Seminar (ASLDS), Warrenton, VA
2021 Enterprise Leadership Seminar (ELS), University of North Carolina (UNC), Kenan-Flagler Business School, Chapel Hill, N.C.
2021 National Security Studies Management Course (NSSMC), Syracuse University, Syracuse, N.Y.
2022 General and Flag Officer Homeland Security Executive Seminar (GFOS), Harvard Kennedy School, Cambridge, Mass.
ASSIGNMENTS
1. August 1989 - September 1990, Undergraduate Pilot Training, Reese Air Force Base, Texas
2. September 1990 - October 1993, F-15 Pilot, 32d Fighter Squadron, Soesterberg Air Base, Netherlands
3. October 1993 - July 1995, F-15 Pilot, 53d Fighter Squadron, Spangdahlem AB, Germany
4. July 1995 - September 1998, F-15 Instructor Pilot, Flight Commander, 1st Fighter Squadron, Tyndall AFB, Fla.
5. October 1998 - August 1999, F-15 Instructor Pilot, 159th Fighter Squadron, Jacksonville, Fla.
6. September 1999 - May 2003, Chief of Standardization and Evaluation, 125th Operations Group, Jacksonville, Fla.
7. June 2003 - August 2006, Operations Officer, 159th Fighter Squadron, Jacksonville, Fla.
8. August 2006 - July 2007, Commander, 125th Operations Support Flight, Jacksonville, Fla.
9. July 2007 - May 2011, Wing Director of Operations, 125th Fighter Wing, Jacksonville, Fla.
10. May 2011 - February 2013, Vice Commander, 125th Fighter Wing, Jacksonville, Fla.
11. February 2013 - March 2016, Commander, 125th Fighter Wing, Jacksonville, Fla.
12. March 2016 - February 2017, Chief of Staff, Headquarters Florida Air National Guard (HQFLANG), Saint Augustine, Fla.
13. March 2017 - August 2019, Assistant Adjutant General, St. Augustine, FL
14. September 2019 - September 2021, Air National Guard Assistant to the Commander, First Air Force, Tyndall AFB, FL
15. October 2021 - October 2023, Mobilization Assistant to the Commander, NORAD, Peterson SFB, CO
SUMMARY OF JOINT ASSIGNMENTS
1. October 2021 - October 2023, Mobilization Assistant to the Commander, NORAD, Peterson SFB, CO as a major general
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Rating: Command Pilot
Flight hours: More than 3,700 hours, including 300 combat hours
Aircraft flown: T-37, T-38, F-15A/B/C/D
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster
Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters
Air Medal with oak leaf cluster
Aerial Achievement Medal
Air Force Commendation Medal
Air Force Achievement Medal with oak leaf cluster
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant May 31, 1989
First Lieutenant May 31, 1991
Captain May 31, 1993
Major July 14, 1999
Lieutenant Colonel Aug. 22, 2003
Colonel June 11, 2011
Brigadier General March 24, 2016
Major General Sept. 1, 2019
(Current as of July 2024)
