Brig Gen Holtz is the Deputy Director, Strategy, Engagement, and Programs, U.S. Africa Command, Stuttgart Möhringen, Germany. In this capacity, he contributes to U.S. policy and strategy, develops theater campaign, operational and force posture plans, integrates international and African partner military efforts, and conducts U.S. inter-agency and international engagements consistent with U.S. Africa Command priorities.
General Holtz graduated with honors from Western Michigan University in 1991 and later received his commission in 1995 from the Academy of Military Science, McGhee Tyson ANG Base, Knoxville, Tenn. He has commanded a fighter squadron, expeditionary fighter squadron, operations group, mission support group, and a wing. Additionally, he served as Dual Status Commander for the state of Michigan and Joint Task Force Civil Support, USNORTHCOM, in response to the novel coronavirus.
As a command pilot, he has logged more than 4,200 flying hours including more than 900 combat flying hours flying missions in operations DELIBERATE GUARD, ALLIED FORCE, SOUTHERN WATCH, IRAQI FREEDOM, ENDURING FREEDOM, and INHERENT RESOLVE. Prior to his current position, General Holtz was the Deputy Commander, Michigan Air National Guard as well as the Joint Chief of Staff, Michigan National Guard Headquarters, Mich.
EDUCATION
1991 Bachelor of Science, Aviation Science and Technology, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, Mich.
1995 Academy of Military Science, McGhee Tyson AFB, Knoxville, Tenn.
2002 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2003 Senior Leaders Course, Baltic Defence College, Tallinn, Estonia
2007 Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2016 Air War College, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2016 Senior Leader Mission Group Course, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2017 Air National Guard Commanders Development Course, Joint Base Andrews, Md.
2017 Defense Support of Civil Authorities Board President Course, by correspondence
2017 Safety and Accident Investigation Board President Course, Joint Base Andrews, Md.
2018 Contemporary Base Issues Course, Selfridge Air National Guard Base, Mich.
2018 Emergency Operation Center Directors Course, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2019 AFFOR Senior Staff Course, Hurlburt Field, Fla.
2020 Senior Officer Legal Orientation Course, Joint Base Andrews, Md.
2021 Dual Status Commanders Course, Colorado Springs, Colo.
2021 Joint Task Force Commanders Course, Colorado Springs, Colo.
2023 Senior Leaders’ Course, Baltic Defence College, Tallinn, Estonia
ASSIGNMENTS
1. May 1995 - May 1996, Undergraduate Pilot Training, 47th Flying Training Wing, Laughlin AFB, Texas.
2. May 1996 - June 1996, Fighter Lead-In, 14th Flying Training Wing, T-38, Columbus AFB, Miss.
3. June 1996 - December 1996, Operational Training Course, A-10A, 355th Fighter Wing, Davis-Monthan AFB, Ariz.
4. December 1996 - July 1998, Pilot, A-10A, 172nd Fighter Squadron, Battle Creek ANG Base, Mich.
5. July 1998 - January 2002, Squadron Safety Officer, 172nd Fighter Squadron, Battle Creek ANG Base, Mich.
6. January 2002 - August 2002, Life Support Officer, 172nd Fighter Squadron, Battle Creek ANG Base, Mich.
7. August 2002 - September 2003, Assistant Flight Commander, 172nd Fighter Squadron, Battle Creek ANG Base, Mich.
8. September 2003 - September 2005, Flight Commander, 172nd Fighter Squadron, Battle Creek ANG Base, Mich.
9. September 2005 - May 2008, Chief of Scheduling, 172nd Fighter Squadron, Battle Creek ANG Base, Mich.
10. May 2008 - November 2008, Chief of Standards and Evaluations, 110th Operations Group, Battle Creek ANG Base, Mich.
11. November 2008 - April 2009, Assistant Director of Operations, 172nd Fighter Squadron, Battle Creek ANG Base, Mich.
12. April 2009 - August 2013, Chief of Standards and Evaluations, 127th Operations Group, Selfridge ANG Base, Mich.
13. August 2013 - October 2013, Chief of Weapons and Tactics, 127th Operations Support Squadron, Selfridge ANG Base, Mich.
14. October 2013 - December 2015, Commander, 107th Fighter Squadron, Selfridge ANG Base, Mich.
15. December 2015 - May 2018, Commander, 127th Operations Group Commander, Selfridge ANG Base, Mich.
16. May 2018 - May 2019, Commander, 127th Mission support Group, Selfridge ANG Base, Mich.
17. May 2019 - June 2022, Commander, 110th Wing, Battle Creek ANG Base, Mich.
18. June 2022 - January 2023, Deputy Commander, Michigan Air National Guard, Lansing JFHQ, Mich.
19. January 2023 - July 2023, Joint Chief of Staff, Michigan National Guard, Lansing JFHQ, Mich.
20. July 2023 - Present, Dep Director, Strategy, Plans and Programs, U.S. Africa Command, Stuttgart, Germany
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Rating: command pilot
Flight hours: More than 4,200 including more than 900 combat hours
Aircraft flown: T-37, T-38, A-10A, A-10C, MQ-9
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Legion of Merit
Distinguished Flying Cross
Defense Meritorious Service Medal
Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters
Air Medal with nine oak leaf clusters
Air and Space Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster
Air and Space Achievement Medal with oak leaf cluster
Combat Action Medal
Meritorious Unit Award with five oak leaf clusters
Air and Space Outstanding Unit Award with Valor and four oak leaf clusters
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS & AFFLIATIONS
National Guard Association of the United States
National Guard Association of Michigan
Battle Creek Chamber of Commerce
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
1995 Distinguished Graduate, Academy of Military Science, Tenn.
1996 Top Flyer, Undergraduate Pilot Training, Laughlin AFB, Texas
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant April 20, 1995
First Lieutenant April 20, 1997
Captain May 2, 1999
Major May 2, 2003
Lieutenant Colonel Dec. 6, 2008
Colonel Jan. 13, 2017
Brigadier General June 15, 2023
(Current as of March 2025)