MAJOR GENERAL DENNIS G. LUCAS
Retired November 30, 2010
Maj. Gen. Dennis G. Lucas was the Chief of Staff, California Air National Guard, and also served as Commander, California Air National Guard. He was responsible for command and control oversight of five major field-level organizations comprised of nearly 5,000 military and civilian personnel serving at ten locations within California. As the former Commander, California Air National Guard, General Lucas was the senior Air National Guard officer responsible for providing operationally trained, equipped and mission-ready forces to support national defense requirements world wide and emergency response, relief, and recovery operations throughout California.In 1971, General Lucas graduated from Officer Training School at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. He joined the California Air National Guard in 1980 and held a variety of operational assignments until 1987, when he transferred to California State Headquarters. In 1999, he was assigned as the Director of Command, Control, Communications and Computers and in 2000, was appointed as the Assistant Adjutant General-Air, California National Guard.
EDUCATION
1970 Duquesne University, Bachelor of Science, Biology, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
1975 Squadron Officer School (SOS), non-residence
1976 Air Command and Staff College (ACSC), non-residence
1979 Golden Gate University, Master of Public Administration, San Francisco, California
1989 Air War College, non-residence
2002 Senior Leader Orientation Course (SLOC), in residence
2005 Marshall Center, in residence
ASSIGNMENTS
1. March 1971 - January 1972, Student, Undergraduate Navigator Training, Mather Air Force Base, California
2. January 1972 - September 1972, Student, F-4E Combat Crew Training, 309th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Homestead Air Force Base, Florida
3. September 1972 - September 1973, Weapon Systems Officer, F-4E, Fast Forward Air Controller, 34th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Korat Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand
4. September 1973 - January 1975, Weapon System Officer, F-4D, 493rd Tactical Fighter Squadron, Royal Air Force Base, Lakenheath, England
5. February 1975 - October 1976, - Flight Examiner/Standardization/Evaluation, F-4D, 494th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Royal Air Force Base, Lakenheath, England
6. October 1976 - April 1980, Flight Examiner/Instructor Weapon System Officer, F-4C/D/E/F, 35th Tactical Fighter Wing, George Air Force Base, California
7. April 1980 - May 1980, United State Air Force Reserve Officer, Air Reserve Personnel Center, Denver, Colorado
8. May 1980 - September 1982, Weapons Systems Officer, F4D, 163rd Direct Air Support Center Squadron, Ontario International Airport, Ontario, California
9. October 1982 - June 1987, F4C Standard/Evaluation, 163rd Tactical Fighter Group, March Air Force Base, California
10. June 1987 - June 1993, Education and Training Officer, Headquarters, California Air National Guard, Sacramento, California
11. June 1993 - June 1999, Executive Staff Officer, Headquarters, California Air National Guard, Sacramento, California
12. June 1999 - May 2000, Director, Command, Control, Communications and Computers, Headquarters, California Air National Guard, Sacramento, California
13. June 2000 - March 2006, Assistant Adjutant General-Air, California National Guard, Sacramento, California
14. March 2006 - November 2010, Commander, California Air National Guard, Sacramento, California
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Rating: Master Navigator
Flight hours: More than 2,400 including 130 combat missions
Aircraft flown: T-29, F-4C/D/E/
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Distinguished Service Medal
Legion of Merit
Distinguished Flying Cross (with Valor and 2 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters)
Meritorious Service Medal (with 1 Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster)
Air Medal (with 1 Silver Oak Leaf Cluster and 4 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters)
Air Force Commendation Medal
Air Force Achievement Medal
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award (with Valor and 2 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters)
Air Force Organizational Excellence Award (with 1 Silver Oak Leaf Cluster and 2 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters)
Combat Readiness Medal (with 1 Silver Oak Leaf Cluster)
National Defense Service Medal (with 2 Bronze Stars)
Vietnam Service Medal (with 1 Bronze Star)
Humanitarian Service Medal (with 1 Bronze Star)
Air Force Overseas Ribbon (Short Tour)
Air Force Overseas Ribbon (Long Tour)
Air Force Longevity Service Award (with 1 Silver Oak Leaf Cluster and 3 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters)
Armed Forces Reserve Medal (with 1 Silver Hourglass)
Small Arms Marksmanship Ribbon
Air Force Training Ribbon
Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm
Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS & AFFLIATIONS
National Guard Association - Life time member
National Guard Association of California
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant March 16, 1971
First Lieutenant March 16, 1974
Captain March 16, 1976
Major Nov. 1, 1984
Lieutenant Colonel Nov. 1, 1988
Colonel June 24, 1994
Brigadier General May 24, 2001
Major General March 8, 2006
(Current as of October 2022)
