BRIGADIER GENERAL BUEL J. DICKSON
Brig. Gen. Buel J. Dickson is Assistant Adjutant General – Air, Montana National Guard, Fort Harrison, Montana and also serves as Commander of the Montana Air National Guard. He is responsible for the leadership, professional development, and senior-level management of the 1,000 personnel assigned to the 120th Airlift Wing, the 219th REDHORSE Squadron, and the Montana Air National Guard Joint Force Headquarters. General Dickson is the Senior Air National Guard Officer in Montana and serves as the principal advisor to both the Governor and the Adjutant General of Montana on matters pertaining to the Montana Air National Guard. As Commander, he is responsible for providing mission-ready forces to support national defense requirements worldwide, and emergency response, relief, and recovery operations throughout Montana.
General Dickson has commanded the 186th Air Squadron, 120th Operations Group, 120th Maintenance Group and the 120th Airlift Wing. He has also served as Chief of Scheduling, Chief of Standardizations, Director of Operations, Airspace Manager, 120th Exercise Evaluation Team Chief, Wing Chief of Safety and the Director of Operations A-3 for the Montana Air National Guard stationed at Joint Force Headquarters Helena, Montana. General Dickson was a command pilot with over 3,500 hours in the T-37, T-38, F-16 ADF, F-16C, F-15C, C-130E/H1/H2 and has served two combat tours in support of Operations SOUTHERN WATCH AND IRAQI FREEDOM.
EDUCATION
1989 Bachelor of Science degree in computer science, University of Montana,
1998 Squadron Officer School, by correspondence
1999 Arctic Survival Course, Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska
2003 Air Command and Staff College, by correspondence
2008 Air War College, by correspondence
2016 Safety and Accident Investigation Board President Course, Joint Base Andrews, Md.
2016 Senior Leader Mission Generation Course, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2021 Senior Leader Orientation Course (SLOC), Joint Base Andrews, Md.
2022 Regional Seminar - Eurasia, Alan L. Freed Associates, Washington D.C.
ASSIGNMENTS
1. April 1990 - May 1991, Undergraduate Pilot Training, Columbus Air Force Base, Miss.
2. May 1991 - May 1995, F-16 Fighter Pilot, 186th Fighter Squadron, Montana Air National Guard, Great Falls International Airport, Mont.
3. December 1995 - May 1998, Chief of Scheduling, 120th Operations Support Flight, MT ANG, Great Falls IAP, Mont.
4. May 1998 - May 2001, Chief of Standards and Evaluations, 120th Operations Group, MT ANG, Great Falls IAP, Mont.
5. May 2001 - May 2004, Commander, 120th Operations Support Flight, MT ANG, Great Falls IAP, Mont.
6. May 2004 - May 2009, Safety Officer, 120th Fighter Wing, MT ANG, Great Falls IAP, Mont.
7. May 2009 - May 2010, Wing Plans Officer, 120th Fighter Wing, MT ANG, Great Falls IAP, Mont.
8. May 2010 - May 2011, F-15 Fighter Pilot, 120th Fighter Wing, MT ANG, Great Falls IAP, Mont.
9. May 2011 - October 2013, Deputy Director, J/3 Operations, MT ANG, Joint Force Headquarters, Fort Harrison, Mont.
10. October 2013 - May 2014, Student, Aircraft Command Initial Qualification, 714th Training Squadron, Little Rock AFB, Ark.
11. May 2014 - May 2017, Commander, 120th Maintenance Group, MT ANG, Great Falls IAP, Mont.
12. June 2020 - Present, Assistant Adjutant General, Ft. Harrison, Mont.
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Rating: Command Pilot
Flight hours: More than 3,500
Aircraft flown: T-37, T-38, F-16 ADF, F-16C, F-15C, C-130E/H1/H2
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Air Medal
Aerial Achievement Medal Air Force Commendation Medal Army Commendation Medal
Air Force Achievement Medal with oak leaf cluster
Montana National Guard Commendation Medal
Montana National Guard Outstanding Unit Award with two devices
Montana National Guard Campaign Ribbon
Montana National Guard Noble Eagle Ribbon
Montana National Guard OCONUS Ribbon with eight oak leaf clusters
Montana National Guard Service Ribbon with three oak leaf clusters
Montana National Guard Attendance Ribbon with ‘8’ device
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
1998 Aircrew Safety Award of Distinction
1992 Outstanding Academic Achievement Award, F-16 Course
UPT T-37, T-38 Top Formation Pilot
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant April 5, 1990
First Lieutenant April 12, 1992
Captain April 12, 1994
Major Nov. 7, 1998
Lieutenant Colonel Nov. 1, 2003
Colonel July 27, 2015
Brigadier General June 13, 2020
(Current as of April 2022)
