Maj. 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 21-nation U.S. Central Command area of responsibility covering Central and Southwest Asia.
Maj. 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 levels. Maj. 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. His most recent deployment was in 2025 in support of operations Inherent Resolve, Spartan Shield and Rough Rider. Prior to this assignment, Maj. Gen. Castaneda was the Mobilization Assistant to the Commander, 12th Air Force (Air Forces Southern), where he conducted security cooperation and provided air, space and cyberspace capabilities throughout Latin America and the Caribbean.
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 Lesley J. McNair, Washington D.C.
2024 Combined Forces 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, DSDC 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 Formal Training Unit, Luke AFB, Ariz.
6. January 2001–June 2005, Assistant Chief, Weapons and Tactics, 466th Fighter Squadron, Hill AFB, Utah
7. June 2005–June 2006, Chief, Flight Safety, 419th Fighter Wing, Hill AFB, Utah
8. July 2006–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 Operations Support Flight, 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 Operations Group, 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 U.S. Air Force, the Pentagon, Arlington, Va.
19. April 2019–July 2020, Chief, Combat Air Force Requirements Division, Directorate for Operational Capability Requirements, Headquarters U.S. 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, 12th 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
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 three oak leaf clusters
(Current as of August 2025)