BRIGADIER GENERAL TOMMY F. TILLMAN, JR.
Brig. Gen. Tommy F. Tillman, Jr. serves as the Chief of Staff, Mississippi Air National Guard, Joint Force Headquarters, Jackson, Mississippi. He assists the commander and The Adjutant General in formulating, developing, and coordinating all programs, policies, and plans ensuring the mission readiness of the 172nd Airlift Wing, 186th Air Refueling Wing, and the Combat Readiness Training Center. Additionally, General Tillman serves jointly as the Assistant Adjutant General, Mississippi National Guard.
General Tillman enlisted in the Mississippi Air National Guard in March 1987. After five years of enlisted service, he commissioned through the Academy of Military Science in July 1992. Brig. Gen. Tillman started his flying career at Reese Air Force Base, Texas and is a command pilot with more than 4,450 total flying hours in the C-141B/C and C-17A aircraft. He has held numerous positions at the squadron, wing, and state level and through his expertise, was selected as Initial Cadre for the 172nd Airlift Wing’s transition to the C-17 Globemaster III. Prior to assuming his current position, Brig. Gen. Tillman was the A3 Director of Operations for the Mississippi Air National Guard where he executed statewide initiatives in accordance with the Assistant Adjutant General and The Adjutant General's vision to ensure the Mississippi Air National Guard's unity of effort.
EDUCATION
1991 Bachelor of Business Administration, University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, Miss.
1993 Undergraduate Pilot Training, Reese Air Force Base, Texas
2001 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2005 Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2007 Air War College, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2015 Master of Business Administration, Trident University International, Ariz.
ASSIGNMENTS
1. July 1992 - August 1993, Student, Undergraduate Pilot Training, Reese Air Force Base, Texas
2. September 1993 - December 1993, Student, C-141B Formal Training Unit, Altus AFB, Okla.
3. December 1993 - December 1997, C141B Pilot, 183nd Airlift Squadron, Thompson Field, Jackson, Miss.
4. December 1997 - October 2001, Command and Control Officer, 172nd Airlift Wing, Thompson Field, Jackson, Miss.
5. October 2001 - July 2003, Wing Plans Officer, 172nd Airlift Wing, Thompson Field, Jackson, Miss.
6. July 2003 - August 2003, Student, C-17A Formal Training Unit, Altus AFB, Okla.
7. August 2003 - July 2004, Assistant Flight Commander, 183rd Airlift Squadron, Thompson Field, Jackson, Miss.
8. July 2004 - September 2009, Chief of Current Operations, 172nd Airlift Wing, Thompson Field, Jackson, Miss.
9. September 2009 - January 2013, Air National Guard Advisor to the Inspector General, Headquarters Air Mobility Command, Scott AFB, Ill.
10. January 2013 - May 2014, Operations Group Commander, 172nd Airlift Wing, Thompson Field, Jackson, Miss.
11. June 2014 - May 2018, Vice Wing Commander, 172nd Airlift Wing, Thompson Field, Jackson, Miss.
12. June 2018 - February 2022, Wing Commander, 172nd Airlift Wing, Thompson Field, Jackson, Miss.
13. February 2022 - May 2024, Director of Operations, Mississippi Air National Guard, Joint Force Headquarters, Jackson, Miss.
14. May 2024 - Present, Chief of Staff, Mississippi Air National Guard, Joint Force Headquarters, Jackson, Miss.
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Rating: command pilot
Flight hours: more than 4,450
Aircraft flown: T-37, T-1A, C-141B/C and C-17A
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Legion of Merit
Joint Service Commendation Medal
Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Air Medal
Aerial Achievement Medal with oak leaf cluster
Air and Space Commendation Medal
Air and Space Achievement Medal
Air and Space Outstanding Unit Award with 12 oak leaf clusters
Combat Readiness Medal with oak leaf cluster
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS & AFFLIATIONS
Board of Directors, Mississippi Young Men’s Christian Association
Life member, National Guard Association of Mississippi
Life member, National Guard Association of the United States
Member, Rotary International
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant July 30, 1992
First Lieutenant Nov. 5, 1994
Captain Nov. 5, 1996
Major Jan. 25, 2001
Lieutenant Colonel June 2, 2005
Colonel May 26, 2011
Brigadier General May 1, 2024
(Current as of January 2025)
