Brig. Gen. Brett R. Paola is the Mobilization Assistant to the Commander, Alaskan North American Aerospace Defense Command Region; Commander, Alaskan Command; and Commander 11th Air Force, Pacific Air Forces Joint Base Elemendorf-Richardson, Alaska. He advises on the integration of all military activities in the Alaskan joint operations area, synchronizing the activities of more than 21,000 active duty and reserve forces from all services. He also serves as Combined/Joint Force Air Component Commander ALCOM.
Brig. Gen. Paola commissioned in 1993 through Officer Training School and has served in the Air National Guard and United States Air Force Reserve for over 30 years in a variety of rescue and fighter assignments.
Prior to his current position, Brig. Gen. Paola was the Mobilization Assistant to the Director of Air and Cyberspace Operations, Pacific Air Forces, Joint Base Pearl Harbor- Hickam, Hawaii. He has also served as the Mobilization Assistant to the 5th Air Force Commander and 477th Fighter Group Commander. As the first traditional reservist to pilot a U.S. Air Force F-16 Aggressor, he was selected to the initial cadre during Total Force Integration as an F-22 instructor at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska. He has logged combat and combat support mission experience in support of operations Northern Watch, Southern Watch, Noble Eagle, Enduring Freedom, Andaconda, Boa, Phantom Fury, Iraqi Freedom, and Vigilant Resolve.
EDUCATION
1992 Bachelor of Science, Portland State University, Ore.
2011 Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala., by correspondence
2018 Air War College, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2020 Masters of Science, Aeronautics, Embry-Riddle University
ASSIGNMENTS
1. January 1994–March 1995, Student, Undergraduate Pilot Training, Vance Air Force Base, Okla.
2. April 1995–August 1995, Student, Joint Helicopter Transition UH1, Fort Rucker AAB, Ala.
3. August 1995–January 1996, Student HH-60 Transition, 304th Rescue Squadron, Portland IAP, Ore.
4. January 1996–January 1998, HH-60 Assistant Chief of Weapons, 304th Rescue Squadron, Portland IAP, Ore.
5. January 1998–September 1998, Student, F-16 Fighter Training Unit, 64th Fighter Squadron, Luke AFB, Ariz.
6. September 1998–December 2004, F-16 Chief of Weapons and Tactics, 183rd Fighter Wing, 170th Fighter Squadron, Springfield, Ill.
7. December 2004–October 2006, Assistant Director of Operations, 170th Fighter Squadron, Springfield, Ill.
8. October 2006–March 2007, F-16 Aggressor Instructor Pilot/Assistant Chief of Weapons and Tactics, Nellis AFB, Nev.
9. March 2007–September 2007, Student, F-22 Fighter Training Unit, 43rd Fighter Squadron, Tyndall AFB, Fla.
10. September 2007–January 2012, F-22 Chief of Weapons and Tactics, 302nd Fighter Squadron, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska
11. January 2012–January 2013, Commander, 477th Operational Support Flight, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska
12. January 2013–October 2014, Commander, 302nd Fighter Squadron, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska
13. October 2014–July 2016, Inspector General, 477th Fighter Group, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska
14. July 2016–January 2019, Deputy Commander, 477th Fighter Group, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska
15. January 2019–April 2021, Commander, 477th Fighter Group, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska
16. April 2021–February 2023, Mobilization Assistant,5th Air Force, Yokota Air Base, Japan
17. February 2023–April 2024, Mobilization Assistant to the Director of Air and Cyberspace Operations, Pacific Air Forces, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii
18. May 2024–present, Mobilization Assistant to the Commander, Alaskan North American Aerospace Defense command Region; Commander, Alaskan Command; and Commander 11th Air Force, Pacific Air Forces Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Rating: command pilot
Flight hours: more than 2,200
Aircraft flown: HH-60, F-16 and F-22A
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Legion of Merit with one device
Meritorious Service Medal with three devices
Air Medal
Aerial Achievement Medal
Air and Space Commendation Medal with one device
Air and Space Achievement Medal
Air and Space Outstanding Unit Award with five devices
Combat Readiness Medal with five devices
National Defense Medal with one device
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Air and Space Overseas Ribbon
Air and Space Expeditionary Service Ribbon with Gold Border with two devices
Air and Space Expeditionary Service Ribbon
Air and Space Longevity Service with one device
(Current as of September 2024)