Major
General Richard L. Testa is the Air National Guard Assistant to the Deputy Chief
of Staff for Warfighting Integration, Headquarters United States Air Force (Hq
USAF/XI). Responsibilities include integration of manned, unmanned, and space
systems for command and control, communications and computers, and intelligence,
surveillance, and reconnaissance (C4ISR). He reviews proposals and makes
recommendations to Hq USAF/XI on matters relating to USAF/ANG policy, plans,
structure, force mix, management, budget, modernization, integration, and
mobilization of ANG units. He also monitors training and readiness of ANG units
and maintains continuing liaison with the senior staffs of the AF/XI and the
director, Air National Guard.
The general began his military career in 1969 by enlisting and serving in the Texas Army National Guard. He later received his commission as a second lieutenant in the Texas Air National Guard in 1970. In 1993, while serving as Air Commander of the 162nd Combat Communications Group, North Highlands Air National Guard Station, Roseville, Calif., General Testa was selected to serve as the director of communications and information for Joint Task Force Southwest Asia, Operation Southern Watch, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. General Testa has served in command billets at the squadron and group levels, joint services assignments, and senior officer positions at Major Command and Headquarters Air Force levels.
1969 Bachelor of business administration degree, North Texas State
University, Denton, Tx.
1976 Squadron Officer School, by correspondence
1979 Air Command and Staff College, by correspondence
1985 National Security Management Course
1996 Master's of science degree in education, Old Dominion University, Norfolk,
Va.
1. October 1970 - July 1971, squadron air operations officer, 149th Tactical
Fighter Wing, Texas Air National Guard
2. July 1971 - December 1975, communications officer, 261st Combat
Communications Squadron, Sepulveda Air National Guard Station, Van Nuys, Calif.
4. December 1975 - January 1982, detachment commander, 261st Combat
Communications Squadron, Sepulveda Air National Guard Station, Van Nuys, Calif.
5. January 1982 - December 1989, commander, 261st Combat Communications
Squadron, Sepulveda Air National Guard Station, Van Nuys, Calif.
6. December 1989 - March 1995, air commander, Headquarters 162nd Combat
Communications Group, North Highlands Air National Guard Station, Roseville,
Calif.
7. March 1995 - November 1997, Air National Guard advisor to the director of
communications and information, Air Combat Command, Langley Air Force Base, Va.
8. November 1997 - March 1999, Air National Guard assistant to the commander,
Air Force Command and Control, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance
Center, Langley Air Force Base, Va.
9. March 1999 - July 1999, Reserve Forces advisor to the director of
communications, United States Air Force, Pentagon, Washington, D.C.
10. July 1999 - April 2000, deputy director of systems, Air Force Communications
and Information Center, Pentagon, Washington, D.C.
11. April 2000 - November 2001, Air National Guard assistant to the commander,
Air Force Command and Control, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance
Center, Langley Air Force Base, Va.
12. November 2001 - March 2002, Air National Guard assistant to the director of
communications and information, Headquarters United States Air Force (HQ USAF/SC),
Pentagon, Washington, D.C.
13. April 2002 - present, Air National Guard assistant to the Deputy Chief of
Staff for Warfighting Integration, Headquarters United States Air Force (HQ USAF/XI),
Pentagon, Washington, D.C.
Air Force Meritorious Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster
Air Force Commendation Medal
Air Force Achievement Medal
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with three oak leaf clusters
Air Force Organizational Excellence Award with one oak leaf cluster
Combat Readiness Medal with two oak leaf clusters
National Defense Service Medal with one bronze service star
Southwest Asia Service Medal
Air Force Longevity Service Award with five oak leaf clusters
Armed Forces Reserve Medal with one hourglass device
Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon with bronze service star
Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia)
Kuwait Liberation Medal (Emirate of Kuwait)
Second Lieutenant Oct 4, 1970
First Lieutenant Jun 13, 1973
Captain May 6, 1977
Major Oct 10, 1982
Lieutenant Colonel Jun 28, 1987
Colonel Jul 1, 1990
Brigadier General Mar 30, 2001
Major General Jun 23, 2003
(Current as of July 2003)
The date of publication indicated on this biography reflects the most recent update. It does not necessarily reflect the date of printing.