BRIGADIER GENERAL MICHAEL A. COMSTOCK
Retired September 12, 2023
Brig. Gen. Michael A. Comstock was the 143d Airlift Wing Commander, Rhode Island Air National Guard. He was responsible for providing combatant commanders with global tactical airlift of personnel and supplies to the battle area with eight C-130J-30 aircraft. Executing a thirty-seven-million-dollar budget, he ensures combat readiness for 1100 personnel through the synchronization of unit flying with mission training, professional military education, readiness, and morale programs. He instructs aircrews in the execution of tactical airdrop, formation missions under austere conditions.
General Comstock is a 1986 graduate of the United States Air Force Academy. After pilot training in 1987, he flew the C-130 domestically and abroad for thirteen years in active-duty assignments. He has served as International Exchange Officer, Chief of Standards and Evaluation, Chief of Wing Safety, Squadron Commander, and Wing Inspector General. He compiled over 7,000 flying hours. Brig. Gen. Comstock is a veteran of Operations DESERT SHIELD, DESERT STORM, IRAQI FREEDOM and ENDURING FREEDOM. He has supported operations in Latin America, Africa, Europe, and Asia. Prior to his current position, the General was Vice Commander, 143d Airlift Wing, Rhode Island Air National Guard, where he assisted the Wing Commander in optimizing wing readiness for its airpower and cyber missions.
EDUCATION
1986 Bachelor of Science in Human Factors Engineering, United States Air Force Academy, USAF Academy, Colorado
1993 Defense Language Institute, Italian Language Course, Presidio of Monterey, Calif.
1993 Squadron Officer School (SOS)
1998 Master of Science in Aeronautical Science & Technology, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, Castle Air Force Base, California
2013 Air Command and Staff College (ACSC), by correspondence
2015 Air War College, by correspondence
ASSIGNMENTS
1. May 1986 - July 1987, Undergraduate Pilot Training, 82d Student Squadron, Williams AFB, Ariz.
2. July 1987 - January 1990, Pilot, C-130E, 50th Tactical Airlift Squadron, Little Rock AFB, Ark.
3. January 1990 - January 1991, Aircraft Commander, C-130E, 50th Tactical Airlift Squadron, Little Rock AFB, Ark.
4. January 1991 - January 1992, Aircraft Commander, C-130E, 50th Airlift Squadron, Little Rock AFB, Ark.
5. February 1992 - January 1993, Instructor Aircraft Commander, C-130E, 50th Airlift Squadron, Little Rock AFB, Ark.
6. January 1993 - November 1993, Student, Defense Language Institute, Presidio of Monterey, Army Installation, Calif.
7. November 1993 - July 1994, Squadron Pilot, C-130, United States Air Force Officer Exchange Program, Pisa, Italy
8. July 1994 - April 1996, Squadron Instructor Pilot, C-130H, United States Air Force Personnel Exchange Program, Pisa, Italy
9. April 1996 - March 1997, Executive Officer to the Vice Commander, 314th Airlift Wing, Little Rock AFB, Ark.
10. April 1997 - May 1998, Executive Officer, DoD Formal School Instructor Aircraft Commander, C-130E, 53d Airlift Squadron, Little Rock AFB, Ark.
11. May 1998 - October 2000, Assistant Director of Operations, DoD Formal School Evaluator Aircraft Commander, C-130E, 53d Airlift Squadron, Little Rock AFB, Ark.
12. October 2000 - October 2002, Pilot, C-130E, 143d Airlift Squadron, Quonset ANGB, R.I.
13. October 2002 - February 2004, Instructor Pilot, C-130E, 143d Airlift Squadron, Quonset ANGB, R.I.
14. February 2004 - April 2005, Chief Mobility, Evaluation Aircraft Commander, C-130E, 143d Airlift Squadron, Quonset ANGB, R.I.
15. April 2005 - June 2012, Chief Standardization and Evaluation Division, C-130J, 143d Operations Group, Quonset ANG Base, R.I.
16. June 2012 - October 2013, Chief of Wing Safety, 143d Airlift Wing, Quonset ANGB, R.I.
17. October 2013 - January 2016, Commander, 143d Airlift Squadron, Quonset ANGB, R.I.
18. February 2016 - January 2018, Vice Commander, Inspector General, 143d Airlift Wing, Quonset ANGB, R.I.
19. January 2018 - April 2019, Commander, 143d Airlift Wing, Quonset ANG Base, R.I.
20. August 2020 - September 2023, Chief of Staff, Cranston, RI
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Rating: Command Pilot
Flight hours: 7,536
Aircraft flown: C-130E, C-130H, C-130J, T-37, T-38
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Air Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Aerial Achievement Medal
Air Force Commendation Medal
Air Force Achievement Medal with oak leaf cluster
Meritorious Unit Award with two oak leaf clusters
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with valor device and six oak leaf clusters
Combat Readiness Medal with oak leaf cluster
National Defense Service Medal
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
Southwest Asia Service Medal with three bronze stars
Afghanistan Campaign Medal with two bronze stars
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Air Force Overseas Ribbon Short Tour with oak leaf cluster
Air Force Overseas Ribbon Long Tour
Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon with gold border and four oak leaf clusters
Air Force Longevity Service with three oak leaf clusters
Armed Forces Reserve Medal with silver hourglass and three ‘M’ devices
Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon with bronze star
Air Force Training Ribbon
North Atlantic Treaty Organization Medal
Kuwait Liberation Medal Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Kuwait Liberation Medal Kingdom Government of Kuwait
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant May 28, 1986
First Lieutenant May 28, 1988
Captain May 28, 1990
Major Feb. 1, 1998
Lieutenant Colonel Feb. 1, 2005
Colonel Oct. 1, 2016
Brigadier General Sept. 1, 2020
(Current as of September 2024)
