BRIGADIER GENERAL MATTHEW G. BRANCATO
Brig. Gen. Matthew G. Brancato is the Commander, 127th Wing, Selfridge Air National Guard Base, Michigan. He is responsible for the readiness of more than 1,700 Air National Guardsmen in support of multiple federal and state missions, and he oversees flying missions for the A-10 and KC-135 aircraft. The 127th Wing is also host to 70 tenant units, totaling more than 5,000 active, Guard, Reserve personnel.
Brig. Gen. Brancato graduated from the United States Air Force Academy in 1999 with a Bachelor of Science in General Engineering. After completing a short tour at Aviano Air Base, Italy, he attended Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training at Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas where he flew the T-37B and T-1 aircraft, earning his pilot wings in 2001. His first flying assignment was at Charleston Air Force Base, South Carolina, flying the C-17 Globemaster III in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. In 2008, Brig. Gen. Brancato transferred to Hector Field ANGB, Fargo, North Dakota, and transitioned to fly the MQ-1B Predator Remotely Piloted Aircraft. In 2015, he became the RPA Functional Area Manager at the ANG Readiness Center at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland. He was responsible for all ANG Remotely Piloted Intelligence Surveillance, and Reconnaissance platforms, including 12 RPA Wings, and a Classic-Associate Unit at Creech AFB, Nevada. After his assignment at the ANGRC, he served as the 160th Attack Squadron Commander and then the 163d Operations Group Commander at March Air Reserve Base, California, where he led over 250 personnel, four squadrons, one weather flight and a Formal Training Unit. He then took command of the 164th Airlift Wing, Memphis, Tennessee. Prior to his current position, Brig. Gen. Brancato served as the Senior Executive Officer to the 29th Chief, National Guard.
EDUCATION
1999 Bachelor of Science, General Engineering, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo.
2005 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.
2006 Master of Arts, Adult Education, Touro University International, Calif.
2008 Associate of Occupational Studies, Automotive Technology, IntelliTec College, Colo.
2012 Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2017 Air War College, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2020 Master of Science, National Security Strategy, National War College, Washington, D.C.
2021 Commander Leadership Course, National Guard Bureau, Joint Base Andrews, Md.
2022 U.S. Air Force Leading Strategically Program, Center for Creative Leadership, Colorado Springs, Colo.
2023 CJCS Level IV Antiterrorism Executive Seminar, McLean, Va.
2023 Senior Leader Orientation Course, JB Andrews, Md.
2024 Nuclear 400 Course, Kirtland, N.M.
2024 National Security Studies Management Course, Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, Syracuse University, N.Y.
2024 Enterprise Leadership Seminar, Kenan-Flagler Business School, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
ASSIGNMENTS
1. September 1999 - July 2000, Special Projects Officer, 603d Air Control Squadron, Aviano Air Base, Italy
2. July 2000 - December 2001, Undergraduate Pilot Training, Laughlin, Texas
3. December 2001 - May 2002, Assistant Chief of Readiness, C-17 Mission Pilot, 14th Airlift Squadron, Charleston AFB, S.C.
4. May 2002 - August 2004, Stan/Eval Liaison Officer, C-17 Airland/Airdrop Mission Pilot, 14th Airlift Squadron, Charleston AFB, S.C.
5. August 2004 - February 2005, Pilot Scheduler, 14th Airlift Squadron, Charleston AFB, S.C.
6. February 2005 - November 2006, Chief of Training, 94th Flying Training Squadron, USAF Academy, Colo.
7. November 2006 - February 2008, Flight Commander, 94th Flying Training Squadron, USAF Academy, Colo.
8. February 2008 - May 2010, Chief of Scheduling, MQ-1 Instructor Pilot, 178th Reconnaissance Squadron, Fargo, N.D.
9. May 2010 - August 2011, Executive Officer, MQ-1 Instructor Pilot, 119th Operations Group, Fargo, N.D.
10. August 2011 - September 2012, Flight Commander, MQ-1 Instructor Pilot, 178th Reconnaissance Squadron, Fargo, N.D.
11. September 2012 - August 2014, Director of Operations, MQ-1 Instructor Pilot, 178th Reconnaissance Squadron, Fargo, N.D.
12. August 2014 - February 2017, Remotely Piloted Aircraft Functional Area Manager / MQ-1 Pilot, JB Andrews, Md.
13. February 2017 - October 2017, Commander, 160th Attack Squadron, March ARB, Calif.
14. October 2017 - June 2019, Commander, 163d Operations Group, March ARB, Calif.
15. June 2019 - July 2019, Advisor to National Guard Bureau A2/3/6/10 ISR Division, JB Andrews, Md.
16. August 2019 - July 2020, National War College Student, National Defense University, Fort McNair, Washington, D.C.
17. June 2020 - June 2022, Commander, 164th Airlift Wing, Memphis, Tenn.
18. June 2022 - July 2023, Executive Officer to the Chief, National Guard Bureau, the Pentagon, Washington, D.C.
19. August 2023 - Present, Commander, 127th Wing, Selfridge Air National Guard Base, Mich.
SUMMARY OF JOINT ASSIGNMENTS
1. June 2022 - July 2023, Executive Officer to the Chief, National Guard Bureau, the Pentagon, Washington, D.C. as a brigadier general
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Rating: command pilot
Flight hours: 4,600
Aircraft flown: T-37B, T-1, C-17, KC-135, TG-10, TG-15, MQ-1B, MQ-9
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Defense Superior Service Medal
Legion of Merit
Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Air Medal
Aerial Achievement Medal with three oak leaf clusters
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant June 2, 1999
First Lieutenant June 2, 2001
Captain June 2, 2003
Major Aug. 27, 2008
Lieutenant Colonel Sept. 6, 2013
Colonel June 28, 2018
Brigadier General June 19, 2023
(Current as of February 2025)
