BRIGADIER GENERAL MARTIN L. HARTLEY, JR
Brig Gen Martin L. Hartley Jr. is the Assistant Adjutant General for the Tennessee Air National Guard. In this capacity, he commands and ensures the readiness of Tennessee’s three flying units; the 118th Wing in Nashville, the 164th Airlift Wing in Memphis, and the 134th Air Refueling Wing in Knoxville.
A native of Knoxville, Tennessee, Brig Gen Hartley graduated from Doyle High School in 1987 and received a congressional appointment to the United States Air Force Academy. Following graduation and commissioning in 1991, he attended Undergraduate Pilot Training at Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas and earned his wings in October 1992.
Brig Gen Hartley has flown aerial refueling missions supporting Operations Northern Watch, Deliberate Forge, Icelandic Air Defense and over 60 combat missions supporting for Operations Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom, Freedom Sentinel, and Inherent Resolve. Additionally, Brig Gen Hartley has deployed to locations including: Andersen AFB, Guam, Incirlik AB, Turkey, Istres, France, Rhein Mein AB, Germany, RAF Mildenhall AB, England, Manas AB, Kyrgyzic Republic, Al Udeid AB, Qatar, and Camp Marmal, Afghanistan. From August 2020 – February 2021, he served as the Central Command Deployment and Distribution Operations Center Operations Division Chief, Camp Arifjan, Kuwait. Prior to his current position Brig Gen Hartley was the Wing Commander of the 134th Air Refueling Wing, McGhee Tyson ANGB, Tenn.
EDUCATION
1991 Bachelor of Science, Engineering Mechanics, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colo.
1996 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala., by correspondence
2003 Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2009 Air War College, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2015 Master of Business Administration, Liberty University, Lynchburg, Va.
ASSIGNMENTS
1. July 1991 - October 1992, Student, Undergraduate Pilot Training, Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas
2. October 1992 - March 1993, Student, T-37B Pilot Instructor Training, Randolph AFB, Texas
3. March 1993 - April 1995, T-37B Instructor Pilot, Columbus AFB, Miss.
4. April 1995 - September 1997, T-37B Instructor Pilot, Randolph AFB, Texas
5. October 1997 - December 2001, KC-135E Pilot, McGhee Tyson Air National Guard Base, Tenn.
6. January 2002 - June 2004, KC-135E Aircraft Commander, McGhee Tyson ANGB, Tenn.
7. June 2004 - April 2008, KC-135E/R Instructor Pilot, McGhee Tyson ANGB, Tenn.
8. April 2008 - September 2011, Chief, Standards/Evaluations, McGhee Tyson ANGB, Tenn.
9. September 2011 - April 2012, Maintenance Squadron Commander, McGhee Tyson ANGB, Tenn.
10. April 2012 - October 2014, Maintenance Group Deputy Commander, McGhee Tyson ANGB, Tenn.
11. October 2014 - August 2016, 151st Air Refueling Squadron Commander, McGhee Tyson ANGB, Tenn.
12. August 2016 - August 2018, 134th Air Refueling Wing Vice Commander, McGhee Tyson ANGB, Tenn.
13. August 2018 - May 2022, 134th Air Refueling Wing Commander, McGhee Tyson ANGB, Tenn.
14. August 2024 - Present, Assistant Adjutant General – Air, Joint Force Headquarters, Nashville, Tenn.
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Rating: command pilot (Commercial Airline Transport Pilot)
Flight hours: more than 7,000 (5,700 military, 1,400 commercial)
Aircraft flown: T-37, T-38, KC-135E and KC-135R
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Legion of Merit
Defense Meritorious Service Medal
Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf cluster
Air Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Aerial Achievement Medal with oak leaf cluster
Air and Space Commendation Medal with three oak leaf clusters
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant May 29, 1991
First Lieutenant May 29, 1993
Captain May 29, 1995
Major Aug. 13, 1999
Lieutenant Colonel Feb. 4, 2005
Colonel Aug. 22, 2016
Brigadier General Aug. 1, 2024
(Current as of July 2025)
