BRIGADIER GENERAL ANDREW J. MACDONALD
Retired January 01, 2021
Brig. Gen. Andrew J. MacDonald’s was the acting Joint Task Force Commander Arizona. He was responsible for the coordination and execution of Joint operations, plans, policies, and initiatives that prepare the Arizona National Guard (AZNG) to respond to requests for support from civil authorities during state or federal emergencies.
Prior to that assignment Brig Gen MacDonald was the Commander, 162d Wing, Arizona Air National Guard base with operations located at the Tucson International Airport, and Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona. General MacDonald assumed the position in November 2016 and commanded the Air National Guard's largest F-16 and Remote Piloted Aircraft wing with over 1,800 members. The 162d maintains 80 F-16 aircraft for training pilots in support of United States and Partner Nation requirements; provides persistent, armed MQ-9 Intelligence Search Reconnaissance and Analysis Application capabilities to sustain national and state interests; supports North American Aerospace Defense Command Air Control Alert directives with 24/7 immediate response aircraft in the defense of North America. Additionally, the wing provides maintenance support for the Air National Guard/Air Force Reserve Test Center.
General MacDonald received his Bachelor's degree in Computer Science in 1987 from the State University of New York at Binghamton and was commissioned in 1987 with the Marine Corps at Quantico, Va. He graduated flight school and earned his Naval Aviator wings at Meridian Mississippi Naval Air Station in October 1990. He served in numerous training and operational assignments in the EA-6B Prowler and TA-4 Skyhawk before joining the Arizona Air National Guard in 1998. Prior to assuming wing command, General MacDonald served as the Executive Assistant to the Chief, National Guard Bureau and commanded the 162d Maintenance Group, 162d Operations Group, and 148th Fighter Squadron. He is a command pilot with more than 4,600 flying hours.
EDUCATION
1987 Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, University of New York , Binghamton, New York
2008 Air War College, by correspondence
2017 Senior Leader Orientation Course (SLOC), Joint Base Andrews, Md.
ASSIGNMENTS
1. January 1988 - June 1988, Student, Basic Marine Platoon Commander School, Quantico Va.
2. July 1988 - June 1989, Student, Primary Flight Training, VT-3, NAS Pensacola, Fla.
3. July 1989 - October 1990, Student, Advanced Jet Training, VT-7, NAS Meridian, Miss.
4. November 1990 - October 1991, Student, Fleet Replacement Training, EA-6B Day and Night Carrier Landing Qualification, VAQ 129, NAS Whidbey Island, Wash.
5. November 1991 - November 1992, Legal Officer, VMAQ-2, MCAS Cherry Point, N.C.
6. December 1992 - May 1995, Aviation Safety Officer, Pilot Training Officer, Assistant Operations Officer, VMAQ-1, MCAS Cherry Point, N.C.
7. June 1995 - September 1998, TA-4 Instructor Pilot, VT-7 NAS Meridian, Miss.
8. October 1998 - October 2001, F-16 Instructor Pilot, 195th Fighter Squadron, Ariz. ANG, Tucson, Ariz.
9. October 2001 - October 2002, Wing Electronic Combat Officer, 148th Fighter Squadron, Ariz. ANG, Tucson, Ariz.
10. October 2002 - October 2005, F-16 Instructor Pilot, 148th Fighter Squadron, Ariz. ANG, Tucson, Ariz.
11. October 2005 - October 2006, Instructor Pilot, Director of Operations, 162d Operations Support Flight, Ariz. ANG, Tucson, Ariz.
12. October 2006 - October 2007, Director of Operations, 162d Operations Support Flight, Ariz. ANG, Tucson, Ariz.
13. October 2007 - October 2008, Director of Operations, 148th Fighter Squadron, Ariz. ANG, Tucson, Ariz.
14. October 2008 - February 2009, Commander 162d Operations Support Flight, Ariz. ANG, Tucson, Ariz.
15. February 2009 - February 2011, Commander, 148th Fighter Squadron, Ariz. ANG, Tucson, Ariz.
16. February 2011 - January 2013, Commander 162d Operations Group, Ariz. ANG, Tucson, Ariz.
17. January 2013 - March 2015, Commander, 162d Maintenance Group, Ariz. ANG, Tucson, Ariz.
18. March 2015 - October 2016, Executive Officer to the Chief, National Guard Bureau, Pentagon, Washington, D.C.
19. October 2016 - April 2020, Commander, 162nd Wing, Tucson, AZ
20. April 2020 - December 2020, Director, Joint Staff - (AZ) Joint Force Headquarters (JFHQ), Phoenix, AZ
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Rating: Command Pilot
Flight hours: more than 4,400 flying hours
Aircraft flown: EA- 6B, F-16A/C/E, MQ-9, TA-4, T-34C
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Defense Superior Service Medal
Legion of Merit
Meritorious Service Medal
Air Force Commendation Medal
Navy Commendation Medal
Air Force Achievement Medal
Navy Achievement Medal with one oak leaf cluster
Air Force Outstanding Unit Citation with Valor with one oak leaf cluster
National Defense Service Medal with one bronze service star
Global War on Terror Service Medal
Navy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with two bronze service stars
Air Force Longevity Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters
Armed Forces Reserve Medal with one silver hourglass device
Air Force Training Ribbon
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant Sept. 4, 1987
First Lieutenant Sept. 4, 1989
Captain July 1, 1992
Major Oct. 1, 1999
Lieutenant Colonel Oct. 1, 2006
Colonel Dec. 17, 2011
Brigadier General Oct. 30, 2016
(Current as of March 2021)
