Brig. Gen. David J. Berkland serves as the Director of Operations and Communications, Headquarters Air Education and Training Command, Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas. He is responsible for the world’s largest training organization, providing initial skills, undergraduate flying, post graduate combat crew and supplemental training for over 300,000 Air Force, joint and international personnel at 65 Air Force and Department of War locations. Brig. Gen. Berkland provides strategic vision, policy and guidance to operate and defend the Air Force portion of the Department of War global network. Additionally, he executes force development policy to ensure the training and education of Total Force airmen meet U.S. Air Force needs.
Brig. Gen. Berkland was commissioned in 1998 from Officer Training School after graduating from Augustana University. He performed duties as an F-16 instructor pilot and weapons officer, and flew combat missions in operations Southern Watch, Northern Watch, Iraqi Freedom and Freedom’s Sentinel.
He has commanded at the squadron, group and wing levels, and instructed at the USAF Weapons School. He completed staff tours on the Air Staff as the Chief of Air Superiority Weapons Requirements, and on the Joint Staff as the Secretary of Defense Orders Book Briefer. Prior to his current position, Brig. Gen. Berkland served as the Commander, 56th Fighter Wing, Luke Air Force Base, Arizona. Brig. Gen. Berkland is a command pilot with more than 4,200 flying hours and 930 combat hours.
EDUCATION
1997 Bachelor of Arts, Government, Augustana University, Sioux Falls, S.D.
2003 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.
2005 U.S. Air Force Weapons School, Nellis AFB, Nev.
2007 Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, by correspondence
2009 Master of Arts, Military Studies, American Military University, W.Va.
2011 Master of Science, Strategic Intelligence, National Intelligence University, Washington, D.C.
2012 Air War College, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2017 Master of Arts, National Security Strategy, National War College, Washington, D.C.
2023 Joint Force Maritime Component Commander Course, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii
2026 Capstone General and Flag Officer Course, National Defense University, Washington, D.C.
2026 Cyber Operations Executive Course, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
ASSIGNMENTS
1. August 1998–September 1999, Student, Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training, Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas
2. February 1999–September 2000, Student, F-16 Training, 309th Fighter Squadron, Luke AFB, Ariz.
3. November 2000–September 2003, Instructor Pilot, 78th Fighter Squadron, Shaw AFB, S.C.
4. September 2003–December 2004, Flight Commander and Examiner Pilot, 35th Fighter Squadron, Kunsan Air Base, South Korea
5. January 2005–June 2005, Student, 16th Weapons Squadron, U.S. Air Force Weapons School, Nellis AFB, Nev.
6. June 2005–January 2007, Weapons Officer, 4th Fighter Squadron, Hill AFB, Utah
7. January 2007–September 2007, Weapons Officer, 388th Fighter Wing, Hill AFB, Utah
8. September 2007–July 2010, Flight Commander, Assistant Director of Operations, Deployed Wing Weapons Officer (332nd Air Expeditionary Wing, Balad AB, Iraq), 16th Weapons Squadron, U.S. Air Force Weapons School, Nellis AFB, Nev.
9. August 2010–July 2011, Student, National Intelligence University, Bolling AFB, Washington, D.C.
10. July 2011–October 2012, Chief, Air Superiority Weapons Requirements, A5RC, Headquarters Air Force, the Pentagon, Arlington, Va.
11. October 2012–October 2013, Director of Operations, 52d Operations Support Squadron, Spangdahlem AB, Germany
12. October 2013–January 2014, Director of Operations, 480th Fighter Squadron, Spangdahlem AB, Germany
13. January 2014–January 2016, Commander, 480th Fighter Squadron, Spangdahlem AB, Germany
14. January 2016–June 2016, Director of Staff, 52d Fighter Wing, Spangdahlem AB, Germany
15. July 2016–June 2017, Student, National War College, Fort Lesley J. McNair, Washington, D.C.
16. July 2017–July 2019, Secretary of Defense Orders Book Briefer, J-35, Joint Staff, the Pentagon, Arlington, Va.
17. July 2019–June 2020, Commander, 405th Air Expeditionary Group, Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan
18. August 2020–June 2023, Commander, 354th Fighter Wing, Eielson AFB, Alaska
19. July 2023–July 2024, Chief of Staff, Headquarters Pacific Air Forces, Hickam Airfield, Hawaii
20. July 2024–July 2026, Commander, 56th Fighter Wing, Luke AFB, Ariz.
21. July 2026–present, Director of Operations and Communications, Headquarters Air Education and Training Command, Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Rating: command pilot
Flight hours: more than 4,200; 930 combat hours
Aircraft flown: F-16 and F-35
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Legion of Merit with two oak leaf clusters
Bronze Star Medal
Defense Superior Service Medal
Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters
Air Medal with nine oak leaf clusters
Aerial Achievement Medal
Air and Space Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Air Force Combat Action Medal
Air Force Gallant Unit Citation
2005 U.S. Air Force Chennault Award Winner
(Current as of August 2026)