Brig. Gen. Ethan P. Hinkins is the Mobilization Assistant to the Director of Operations, Headquarters Air Force Special Operations Command, Hurlburt Field, Florida. The directorate is responsible for implementing and directing operational command policy for AFSOC’s worldwide special operations units including 20,800 personnel, approximately 300 aircraft and $17 billion in assets.
Brig. Gen. Hinkins originally enlisted in the U.S. Army and served as an enlisted soldier, warrant officer and commissioned officer and was also an Army Aviator. He entered the U.S. Air Force as an inter–service transfer and attended Euro–NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas. Upon joining the Air Force Reserve, he transitioned to Air Force Special Operations and later became initial cadre for the Reserve’s entry into the Combat Aviation Advisor mission. In addition to several CENTCOM deployments, he is an experienced CAA Mission Commander and has led Operational Detachments to conflict regions around the world. Prior to his current assignment, the general was the Director of Staff for 22nd Air Force, Dobbins Air Reserve Base, Georgia.
EDUCATION
1997 Bachelor of Science, Physiology, Michigan State University
1999 Master of Business Administration, Michigan State University
2008 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala., by correspondence
2014 Air Command and Staff College, Air University, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2019 Air War College, Air University, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2021 Director of Mobility Forces Course, Air Mobility Command, Hurlburt Field, Fla.
2024 National and International Security Leadership Seminar, Department of the Air Force, Washington, D.C.
2025 Leading Strategically, Center for Creative Leadership, Colorado Springs, Colo.
2025 Leading Successful Programs: Using Evidence to Affect Effectiveness, Harvard Kennedy School, Cambridge, Mass.
2025 Continuous Improvement and Innovation Executive Course, Duke University, Durham, N.C.
2025 Senior Leader Security Seminar, Air Force Office of Special Investigations, Danville, Va.
2025 Disruptive Technology Course for Senior Leaders, National Intelligence University, Bethesda, Md.
ASSIGNMENTS
1. December 1989–June 1999, Various assignments and positions, United States Army and Army National Guard
2. June 1999–April 2003, F-16 Pilot, 107th Fighter Squadron, Selfridge Air National Guard Base, Mich.
3. April 2003–September 2009, Special Operations Pilot, 711th Special Operations Squadron, Duke Field, Fla.
4. September 2009–February 2013, Chief of Training/Assistant Operations Officer, 5th Special Operations Squadron, Hurlburt Field, Fla.
5. February 2013–October 2014, Commander, Detachment 1, 5th SOS, Duke Field, Fla.
6. October 2014–March 2018, Director of Operations, 711th SOS, Duke Field, Fla.
7. March 2018–April 2021, Chief, Fighter/Bomber/SOF Programs, Air Force Reserve Plans and Programs, Headquarters, U.S. Air Force, the Pentagon, Arlington, Va.
8. April 2021–September 2022, Director of Operations, Plans, and Requirements, 22nd Air Force, Dobbins Air Reserve Base, Ga.
9. September 2022–October 2023, Commander, 934th Airlift Wing, Minneapolis-St. Paul IAP Air Reserve Station, Minn.
10. October 2023–May 2024, Director of Staff, 22nd AF, Dobbins ARB, Ga.
11. May 2024–present, Mobilization Assistant to the Director of Operations, Air Force Special Operations Command, Hurlburt Field, Fla.
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Rating: command pilot
Flight hours : more than 3,700, including more than 700 combat hours
Aircraft flown: OH-58, UH-1H, AH-1, T-37, T-38, F-16C/D, MC-130E, C-208, TH-1H, UH-1N and C-145A
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Legion of Merit
Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf cluster
Air Medal with five oak leaf clusters
Air and Space Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster
Gallant Unit Citation
Meritorious Unit Award
Air and Space Outstanding Unit Award with six oak leaf clusters
Combat Readiness Medal with oak leaf cluster
Air Reserve Forces Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters
National Defense Service Medal
Afghanistan Campaign Medal
Iraq Campaign Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal
Air and Space Expeditionary Service Ribbon with gold border
(Current as of October 2025)