Brig. Gen. David R. Chauvin is the Assistant Adjutant General - Air and Commander of the Nevada Air National Guard and serves as the Air National Guard Assistant to the Deputy Under Secretary of the Air Force, International Affairs. In his role at NVANG, he commands over 1,200 airmen and is responsible for setting the strategic vision of the NVANG to achieve the objectives of the National Defense Strategy. At SAF/IA, he advises senior leaders on Guard-related security cooperation programs such as the State Partnership Program, which currently includes partnerships with more than 100 nations around the world.
Brig. Gen. Chauvin graduated from Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge. He received a reserve commission in May 1998 through the Reserve Officer Training Corps and entered active duty in July 1998 at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana. After multiple operational assignments, Brig. Gen. Chauvin transferred to the Nevada Air National Guard, continuing his military career.
In over 26 years of combined service in the active and reserve components, he has served as a State Chief of Staff, Director of Staff, Squadron Commander, Operations Officer, and Chief of Standards and Evaluations, participating in Operations Southern Watch, Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom, and New Dawn. He is a command pilot with more than 4,860 hours including more than 1,200 hours as an instructor and nearly 300 hours flying combat missions. Brig. Gen. Chauvin is a Captain with Southwest Airlines with over 7,000 hours in the Boeing 737-300/500/700/800/MAX aircraft.
EDUCATION
1998 Bachelor of Science, Magna Cum Laude, Electrical Engineering, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, La.
2000 Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training, Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas
2000 C-5 Initial Qualification Training, Altus Air Force Base, Okla.
2003 C-5 Aircraft Commander Training, Altus Air Force Base, Okla.
2004 T-37B Pilot Instructor Training, Randolph Air Force Base, Texas
2005 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.
2008 C-130 Aircraft Commander Training, Little Rock Air Force Base, Ark.
2012 C-130 Instructor Pilot Training, Little Rock Air Force Base, Ark.
2015 Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala., by correspondence
2019 Air War College, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala., by correspondence
2019 Master of Business Administration, Western Governors University, Nev.
2020 National Security Studies Management Course, Syracuse University, Syracuse, N.Y.
2024 General and Flag Officer Homeland Security Executive Seminar, Harvard University, Cambridge, Mass.
ASSIGNMENTS
1. July 1998–May 1999, Wing Assistant Executive Officer, 2nd Bomb Wing, Barksdale Air Force Base, La.
2. May 1999–October 2000, Undergraduate Pilot Training, 47th FTW, Laughlin AFB, Texas
3. October 2000–May 2002, C-5 Pilot, Mission Controller, 21st AS, Travis AFB, Calif.
4. May 2002–July 2003, C-5 Aircraft Commander, Squadron Scheduler, 21st AS, Travis AFB, Calif.
5. July 2003–July 2004, C-5 Aircraft Commander, Command and Control Officer, 21st AS, Travis AFB, Calif. (November 2003–March 2004, USCENTCOM C-130 Execution Officer, Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar)
6. July 2004–December 2006, T-37 Instructor Pilot, Flight Commander, 37th FTS, Columbus AFB, Miss.
7. December 2006–July 2007, T-37 Evaluator Pilot, Chief of Standardization and Evaluations, 37th FTS, Columbus AFB, Miss.
8. July 2007–July 2008, T-37 Evaluator Pilot, Assistant Director of Operations, 37th FTS, Columbus AFB, Miss.
9. July 2008–January 2012, C-130 Aircraft Commander, Mobility Flight Commander, 192nd AS, NVANG, Nev. (October 2009–December 2009, Mobility Pilot, Bagram AB, Afghanistan; January 2011–April 2011, C130H Aircraft Commander, Bagram AB, Afghanistan)
10. January 2012–April 2014, C-130 Instructor Pilot, Director of Operations, 152nd OSS, NVANG, Nev. (December 2012–March 2013, Assistant Operations Officer, Ali Al Salem AB, Kuwait)
11. April 2014–August 2015, C-130 Evaluator Pilot, C-Flight Commander, 192nd AS, NVANG, Nev.
12. August 2015–May 2018, Commander, 192nd Airlift Squadron, NVANG, Nev.
13. May 2018–November 2019, Director of Operations, NVANG, Nev.
14. November 2019–May 2021, Director of Staff - Air, NVANG, Nev.
15. May 2021–December 2023, Chief of Staff - Air, NVANG, Nev.
16. January 2024–present, Assistant Adjutant General - Air, Joint Force Headquarters, NVANG, Nev.
17. April 2026–present, Air National Guard Assistant to the Deputy Under Secretary of the Air Force for International Affairs, Arlington, Va.
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Rating: command pilot
Flight hours: more than 4,860, including 293 combat hours
Aircraft flown: T-37B, T-1A, C-5A/B/C and C-130E/H
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster
Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Air Medal
Aerial Achievement Medal with oak leaf cluster
Air Force Commendation Medal
Air Force Achievement Medal with two oak leaf clusters
(Current as of June 2026)