Brig. Gen. David Wilson is the Commander, 502d Air Base Wing, Joint Base San Antonio, Texas which unifies 11 geographically distinct locations including JBSA-Fort Sam Houston, JBSA-Lackland, JBSA-Randolph and JBSA-Camp Bullis. The 502d executes 49 installation support functions to enable the largest joint base in the Department of War, consisting of 267 mission partners, 80,000 full-time personnel and a local community of more than 250,000 retirees. The 502d ABW also manages and provides oversight for major projects, facilities and infrastructure worth $37 billion.
Brig. Gen. Wilson commissioned through Texas Tech University’s Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps. He has served in numerous base level assignments and commanded at the squadron, group, and wing level. He deployed in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom, and Onward Liberty. Additionally, he served as a staff officer at U.S. Central Command, Joint Task Force Guantanamo, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, U.S. Department of State, and in the office of U.S. Senator Ben Cardin of Maryland.
Prior to his current position, the general was the Director, Air Force General Officer Management, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C.
EDUCATION
2002 Bachelor of Arts in History, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas
2006 Master of Science in International Relations, Troy University, Troy, Ala.
2007 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.
2012 Air Command and Staff College, by correspondence
2014 Graduate Certificate in Legislative Affairs, Georgetown University, Washington, D.C.
2020 Master of Science in National Security Strategy, National War College, Fort Lesley J. McNair, Washington, D.C.
ASSIGNMENTS
1. June 2002–January 2003, Squadron Section Commander, 490th Missile Squadron, Malmstrom Air Force Base, Mont.
2. January 2003–March 2005, Squadron Section Commander, 341st Civil Engineer Squadron, Malmstrom AFB, Mont.
3. April 2005–November 2005, Chief Relocations & Employments, 341st Mission Support Squadron, Malmstrom AFB, Mont.
4. November 2005–May 2006, Chief Customer Support, 341st Mission Support Squadron, Malmstrom AFB, Mont.
5. June 2006–February 2008, Chief Base Support Officer Development, Air Force Personnel Center, Randolph AFB, Texas
6. March 2008–August 2008, Force Support Officer Assignments, Air Force Personnel Center, Randolph AFB, Texas
7. August 2008–July 2010, Executive Officer to the Executive Director, Air Force Personnel Center, Randolph AFB, Texas
8. July 2010–December 2011, Flight Commander, Sustainment Services, 52d Force Support Squadron, Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany
9. January 2012–May 2013, Operations Officer, 52d Force Support Squadron, Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany
10. June 2013–December 2013, Congressional & Public Affairs, Bureau of Political-Military Affairs, Department of State, Washington, D.C.
11. January 2014–December 2014, Legislative Fellow, U.S. Senate, Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (Maryland), Washington, D.C.
12. December 2014–May 2015, Chief Legislative Analysis, Directorate of Plans & Integration, Deputy Chief of Staff for Manpower, Personnel, and Services, Headquarters Air Force, Washington, D.C.
13. June 2015–June 2017, Commander, 21st Force Support Squadron, Peterson AFB, Colo.
14. June 2017–July 2019, Legislative Affairs Officer, North American Aerospace Defense Command & U.S. Northern Command, Washington, D.C.
15. July 2019–June 2020, Student, National War College, Fort Lesley J. McNair, Washington, D.C.
16. June 2020–May 2022, Commander, 21st Mission Support Group and Vice Commander, Peterson-Schriever Garrison, Peterson Space Force Base, Colo.
17. June 2022–July 2024, Commander, 673d Air Base Wing, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska
18. August 2023–July 2025, Director, Air Force Colonels Management, Deputy Chief of Staff for Manpower, Personnel, and Services, Headquarters Air Force, Washington D.C.
19. July 2025–July 2026, Director, Air Force General Officer Management, Deputy Chief of Staff for Manpower, Personnel, and Services, Headquarters Air Force, Washington D.C.
20. July 2026–present, Commander, 502d Air Base Wing, Joint Base San Antonio, Texas
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Legion of Merit with two oak leaf clusters
Defense Meritorious Service Medal
Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters
Joint Service Commendation Medal
Air and Space Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster
Joint Service Achievement Medal with oak leaf cluster
Air and Space Achievement Medal
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant May 1, 2002
First Lieutenant May 1, 2004
Captain May 1, 2006
Major July 1, 2012
Lieutenant Colonel January 1, 2016
Colonel March 1, 2020
Brigadier General FROCKED
(Current as of July 2026)