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 21-nation U.S. Central Command area of responsibility covering Central and Southwest Asia.
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 levels. 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. His most recent deployment was in 2025 in support of Operations Inherent Resolve, Spartan Shield and Rough Rider. Prior to this assignment, Brig. 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 Angles, Calif.
1998 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala., by correspondence
2006 Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell Air Force Base, 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 or CAREER CHRONOLOGY
June 1993–June 1996, Project Manager, Titan Program Office, Los Angeles Air Force Base, Calif.
June 1996–January 1999, Project Manager, DSDC Program Office, Los Angeles AFB, Calif.
January 1999–January 2000, Student, Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training, Laughlin AFB, Texas
January 2000–May 2000, Student, Fighter Lead-In Course, Randolph AFB, Texas
May 2000–December 2000, Student, F-16C FTU, Luke AFB, Ariz.
January 2001–June 2005, Assistant Chief, Weapons and Tactics, 466 FS, Hill AFB, Utah
June 2005–June 2006, Chief, Flight Safety, 419 FW, Hill AFB, Utah
July 2006–July 2007, Chief, Weapons and Tactics, 466 FS, Hill AFB, Utah
July 2007–December 2007, Student, Weapons Instructor Course, Nellis AFB, Nev.
January 2008–January 2009, Chief, Wing Weapons, 419 FW, Hill AFB, Utah
January 2009–May 2010, Flight Commander, Wing Weapons, 419 FW, Hill AFB, Utah
May 2010–January 2012, Director of Operations and Special Assistant to the Commander, 466 FS, Hill AFB, Utah
January 2012–January 2014, Commander and Special Assistant to the Commander, 419 OSF, Hill AFB, Utah
January 2014–June 2015, Commander, 466 FS, Hill AFB, Utah
June 2015–January 2016, Special Assistant to the Commander, 419 FW, Hill AFB, Utah
January 2016–June 2016, Deputy Commander, 419 OG, Hill AFB, Utah
June 2016–March 2018, Commander, 419 OG, Hill AFB, Utah
April 2018–April 2019, Reserve Advisor, Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, Headquarters United States Air Force, the Pentagon, Arlington, Va.
April 2019–July 2020, Chief, Combat Air Force Requirements Division, Directorate for Operational Capability Requirements, Headquarters United States Air Force, the Pentagon, Arlington, Va.
July 2020–December 2022, Commander, 482 FW, Homestead Air Reserve Base, Fla.
December 2022–March 2024, Mobilization Assistant to the Commander, 12th Air Force, Davis-Monthan AFB, Ariz.
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 and Space 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
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant June 2, 1993
First Lieutenant June 21, 1995
Captain June 21, 1997
Major March 25, 2003
Lieutenant Colonel March 25, 2010
Colonel March 25, 2016
Brigadier General August 1, 2022
(Current as of May 2025)