Brig. Gen. David M. Castaneda is the Mobilization Assistant to the Commander, Ninth Air Force (Air Forces Central), Southwest Asia. As the Mobilization Assistant, the general assists with the development of contingency plans and the execution of air operations for the 20-nation U.S. Central Command area of responsibility covering Central and Southwest Asia.
Prior to his current assignment, Brig. Gen. Castaneda was the Mobilization Assistant to the Commander, 12th Air Force (Air Forces Southern), Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona. As the Air Force component to U.S. Southern Command, Air Forces Southern conducts security cooperation and provides air, space and cyberspace capabilities throughout Latin America and the Caribbean. Air Forces Southern supports U.S. Southern Command to deter aggression, defeat threats and ensure a secure, free and prosperous Western Hemisphere.
Brig. Gen. Castaneda was commissioned in 1993 after graduating from the U.S. Air Force Academy. After serving on active duty, he joined the Air Force Reserve in 1999. He has served in multiple leadership positions at both headquarters and wing level. Brig. Gen. Castaneda is a command pilot with more than 3,000 hours in the F-16 and F-35. He has more than 550 combat hours and has served in operations Freedom’s Sentinel, Resolute Support, Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom, Southern Watch and Noble Eagle.
EDUCATION
1993 Bachelor of Science, Space Operations, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colo. 1997 Master of Business Administration, Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles, Calif.
1998 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala., by correspondence
2006 Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence 2007 Weapons Instructor Course, Nellis AFB, Nev.
2011 Air War College, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2013 Advanced Joint Professional Military Education II, Joint Forces Staff College, Va. 2014 Reserve Component National Security Course, Fort McNair, Washington D.C.
2024 Combined Force Air Component Commander Course, Air University, Maxwell AFB, Ala
ASSIGNMENTS
1. June 1993–June 1996, Project Manager, Titan Program Office, Los Angeles Air Force Base, Calif.
2. June 1996–January 1999, Project Manager, DSCS Program Office, Los Angeles AFB, Calif.
3. January 1999–January 2000, Student, Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training, Laughlin AFB, Texas
4. January 2000–May 2000, Student, Fighter Lead-In Course, Randolph AFB, Texas
5. May 2000–December 2000, Student, F-16C FTU, Luke AFB, Ariz.
6. January 2001–June 2005, Assistant Chief, Weapons and Tactics, 466th FS, Hill AFB, Utah
7. June 2005–June 2006, Chief, Flight Safety, 419th FW, Hill AFB, Utah
8. January 2007–July 2007, Chief, Weapons and Tactics, 466th FS, Hill AFB, Utah
9. July 2007–December 2007, Student, Weapons Instructor Course, Nellis AFB, Nev.
10. January 2008–January 2009, Chief, Wing Weapons, 419th FW, Hill AFB, Utah
11. January 2009–May 2010, Flight Commander, Wing Weapons, 419th FW, Hill AFB, Utah
12. May 2010–January 2012, Director of Operations and Special Assistant to the Commander, 466th FS, Hill AFB, Utah
13. January 2012–January 2014, Commander, and Special Assistant to the Commander, 419th OSF, Hill AFB, Utah
14. January 2014–June 2015, Commander, 466th FS, Hill AFB, Utah
15. June 2015–January 2016, Special Assistant to the Commander, 419th FW, Hill AFB, Utah
16. January 2016–June 2016, Deputy Commander, 419th OG, Hill AFB, Utah
17. June 2016–March 2018, Commander, 419th OG, Hill AFB, Utah
18. April 2018–April 2019, Reserve Advisor, Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, Headquarters United States Air Force, the Pentagon, Arlington, Va.
19. April 2019–July 2020, Chief, Combat Air Force Requirements Division, Directorate for Operational Capability Requirements, Headquarters United States Air Force, the Pentagon, Arlington, Va.
20. July 2020–December 2022, Commander, 482nd FW, Homestead Air Reserve Base, Fla.
21. December 2022–March 2024, Mobilization Assistant to the Commander, Twelfth Air Force, Davis-Monthan AFB, Ariz.
22. March 2024–present, Mobilization Assistant to the Commander, Ninth Air Force (Air Forces Central), Southwest Asia
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Rating: command pilot
Flight hours: more than 3,000, including 550 combat hours Aircraft flown: T-37, T-38, F-16 and F-35
Aircraft flown: T-37, T-38, F-16 and F-35
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Legion of Merit with two oak leaf clusters
Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters Air Medal with eight oak leaf clusters
Aerial Achievement Medal with oak leaf cluster Joint Service Commendation Medal
Air and Space Commendation Medal with 3 oak leaf clusters
(Current as of March 2024)