Brig. Gen. Mitchell A. Hanson is the Mobilization Assistant to the Commander, First Air Force (Air Forces Northern) and Continental U.S. North American Aerospace Defense Command Region, Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida. He advises on all policies and programs relating to the Air Force Reserve and assists the commander to organize, equip and operate air defense forces for the continental U.S., including aerospace warning and control supporting U.S. Northern Command and bi-national North American Aerospace Defense Command.
Brig. Gen. Hanson received his commission from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1989 where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree. He began pilot training after graduating from the academy and was assigned to fly the A-10 Thunderbolt II. He continued his active duty service until 1998 when he transitioned to the Air Force Reserve. Brig. Gen. Hanson has served in numerous positions at the squadron, group, wing, numbered air force, and combatant command levels as an active duty, traditional reservist and individual mobility augmentee member. Before assuming his current position, Brig Gen Hanson was the Mobilization Assistant to the Commander, 15th Air Force, Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina.
Brig. Gen. Hanson has flown the A-10 and F-16 in a variety of operational assignments and is a command pilot with more than 3,400 flying hours and over 200 combat hours. He has deployed in support of operations Desert Calm, Southern Watch, Noble Eagle, Willing Spirit and Enduring Freedom.
EDUCATION
1989 Bachelor of Science, International Affairs, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colo.
1994 Air Ground Operations School, Hurlburt Field, Fla.
1995 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.
1997 Master of Science, Aeronautical Science, Embry-Riddle University, Daytona, Fla.
2004 Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2011 Air War College, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2014 Reserve Component National Security Course, National Defense University, Washington, D.C.
2015 Defense Support of Civil Authorities Course Phase II, U.S. Army North, Colorado Springs, Colo.
2022 Combined Forces Air Component Commander Course, Le May Center, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2022 Space Executive Course, National Security Space Institute, Tyndall AFB, Fla.
2022 Continuous Process Improvement for Executives, Institute for Defense and Business, Duke University, N.C.
ASSIGNMENTS
1. September 1989–September 1990, Student, Undergraduate Pilot Training, Columbus Air Force Base, Miss.
2. September 1990–January 1991, Student, Lead-in Fighter Training, Holloman AFB, N.M.
3. January 1991–May 1991, Student, A-10 Replacement Training Unit, 357th Tactical Fighter Training Squadron, Davis-Monthan AFB, Ariz.
4. May 1991–May 1992, A-10 Pilot, 356th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Myrtle Beach AFB, S.C.
5. May 1992–September 1998, A/OA-10 Instructor Pilot, Assistant Weapons Officer, Safety Officer, and Functional Check Pilot, 358th Fighter Squadron, 333rd Fighter Squadron and 354th Fighter Squadron, Davis-Monthan AFB, Ariz.
6. October 1998–October 2000, A/O-A-10 Instructor Pilot, 706th Fighter Squadron, Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base, New Orleans, La.
7. October 2000–December 2004, U.S. Air Force Academy Admission Liaison Officer, 9001st Air Reserve Squadron, Air Reserve Personnel Center, Denver, Colo.
8. December 2004–April 2006, A/OA-10 Instructor Pilot, 706th Fighter Squadron, NAS JRB, New Orleans, La.
9. April 2006–November 2011, Director of Operations, 47th Fighter Squadron, Barksdale AFB, La.
10. November 2011–June 2014, Commander, 76th Fighter Squadron, Deputy Operations Group Commander, 476th Fighter Group, Moody AFB, Ga.
12. June 2014–August 2016, Emergency Preparedness Officer – Florida, First Air Force (Air Forces Northern), Tyndall AFB, Fla.
13. August 2016–June 2018, Vice Commander, 301st Fighter Wing, Fort Worth NAS JRB, Texas.
14. June 2018–March 2020, Commander, 301st Fighter Wing, Fort Worth NAS JRB, Texas.
15. March 2020–June 2021, Mobilization Assistant to the Commander, 15th Air Force, Shaw AFB, S.C.
16. July 2021–present, Mobilization Assistant to the Commander, First Air Force (Air Forces Northern), and Continental U.S. North American Aerospace Defense Command Region, Tyndall AFB, Fla.
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Rating: command pilot
Flight Hours: more than 3,400
Aircraft Flown: F-16, A/OA-10, T-37, T/AT-38
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Legion of Merit with one oak leaf cluster
Meritorious Service Medal with one silver and one bronze oak leaf clusters
Air Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Aerial Achievement Medal with one oak leaf cluster
Air Force Commendation Medal
Air Force Achievement Medal
Meritorious Unit Award
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with silver oak leaf clusters
Combat Readiness Medal
National Defense Service Medal with bronze star
Southwest Asia Service Medal with two bronze stars
Afghanistan Campaign Medal with bronze star
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Armed Forces Service Medal
Armed Forces Reserve Medal with 2 ‘M’ devices
NATO Medal
Kuwait Liberation Medal Government of Kuwait
(Current as of July 2022)