Colonel Joshua D. Armstrong is the Deputy Commander, 176th Wing, Alaska Air National Guard. The 176th Wing provides the U.S. Air Force capabilities of Global Reach and Vigilance through combined operations of Personnel Recovery, Strategic Airlift, and Air Sovereignty missions. He assists the Wing Commander in the recruiting, retention, and training of more than 1,500 Air National Guard members, operating a diverse mix of C-17A Globemaster III, HH-60G Pave Hawk, and HC-130J Combat King II aircraft, Guardian Angel, and Air Defense Squadron, plus a full array of agile combat support capability for in-state and world-wide deployment. The 176th Wing maintains a constant watch and commitment for the Commander, U.S. Pacific Command, U.S. Northern Command, U.S. Transportation Command, and Alaska North American Aerospace Defense Command Region.
Colonel Armstrong earned his commission with Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University’s ROTC program, graduating as a Distinguished Graduate in 1994. After completing Joint Service Undergraduate Navigator Training, he was assigned to the 517th Airlift Squadron at Elmendorf AFB, Alaska. There he served as a C-130H Hercules Evaluator Navigator, operating throughout the PACOM and CENTCOM theater supporting Operations VOLANT SHOGUN, STABILIZE and ENDURING FREEDOM. During this assignment, he was also deployed to the Coalition Forces Land Component Command, in Camp Doha, Kuwait as a liaison to the 3rd Army. He was then selected to fly as an FTU Instructor/Evaluator, training the next generation of tactical airlift aviators at the 62nd Airlift Squadron at Little Rock AFB, AR. After separating from Active Duty in 2006, he joined the Alaska Air National Guard’s 144th Airlift Squadron at Kulis ANGB, AK, where he flew during multiple deployments in support of Operations IRAQI FREEDOM and JOINT FORGE, conducting over 50 combat airdrops. Later, he served as Commander, 211th Rescue Squadron, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, and during this assignment he deployed in support of Operation INHERENT RESOLVE, where he served as Commander, 26th Expeditionary Rescue Squadron at Al Asad Air Base Iraq.
Prior to his current position, he served as Commander, 176th Operations Group, where he provided the U. S. Air Force capabilities of Global Reach and Vigilance through combined operations of Personnel Recovery, Strategic Airlift, and Air Sovereignty missions. He assisted in the operations and training of more than 550 aircrew and operations support personnel, operating a diverse mix of C-17A, HH-60G, and HC-130J aircraft, Guardian Angel, and Air Defense Squadron.
EDUCATION
1994 Bachelor of Science, Aviation Comp Science, Embry-Riddle Aero University, Prescott AZ
1994 Basic Communications Officer Training
1999 Joint Specialized Undergraduate Navigator Training, Training Air Wing 6, Pensacola NAS, FL
2000 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, AL
2001 Combat Aircrew Tactics Studies (CATS)
2007 Advanced Airlift Tactical Training Course (AATTC), St. Joseph ANGB
2010 Air Command and Staff College (correspondence)
2015 ANG Intermediate Development Course, Washington DC
2016 Squadron Commander’s Course, Andrews AFB, MD
2016 Inspector General Training Course, Washington DC
2020 Air War College (correspondence)
2021 ANG Commander’s Leadership Course
ASSIGNMENTS
1. May 1994 – June 1999, Communications Officer, 81st Training Wing, Keesler AFB, Mississippi
2. June 1999 – December 1999, Student, Undergraduate Navigator Training, TRAWING 6, Pensacola NAS, FL
3. December 1999 – July 2003, C-130 Evaluator Navigator, 517th Airlift Squadron, Elmendorf AFB, AK
4. July 2003 – June 2006, C-130 FTU Evaluator Navigator, 62nd Airlift Squadron Little Rock AFB, AR
5. June 2006 – March 2008, C-130 Evaluator Navigator, 144th Airlift Squadron, Kulis ANGB, AK
6. March 2008 – March 2009, Executive Officer, 176th Operations Group, Kulis ANGB, AK
7. March 2009 – August 2011, Chief, 176th Operations Group Standardization and Evaluation
8. August 2011 – July 2013, Chief of Current Operations, 144th Airlift Squadron, JBER, AK
9. July 2013 – December 2014, Chief Navigator, Assistant Director of Operations, 144th Airlift Squadron, JBER, AK
10. December 2014 – December 2015, Director of Operations, 144th Airlift Squadron, JBER, AK
11. December 2015 – June 2016, Chief of Wing Plans, 176th Wing, JBER, AK
12. June 2016 – April 2019, Inspector General, 176th Wing, JBER, AK
13. April 2019 – November 2021, Commander, 211th Rescue Squadron, JBER, AK & 26th Expeditionary Rescue Squadron, Al Asad AB, Iraq
14. November 2021 – July 2022, Deputy Commander, 176th Operations Group, JBER, AK
15. July 2022 – April 2024, Commander, 176th Operations Group, JBER, AK
16. April – Present, Deputy Commander, 176th Wing, JBER, AK
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Rating: Master Navigator
Flight hours: 4000+ Military, 420+ Combat hours
Aircraft flown: T-34, T-1, C-130E/H, MC-130J, C-130N/J
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Legion of Merit
Bronze Star
Meritorious Service Medal with Three Oak Leaf Clusters
Air Medal with Two Oak Leaf Clusters
Aerial Achievement Medal
Joint Service Commendation Medal
Air and Space Commendation Medal with Two Oak Leaf Clusters
Air and Space Achievement Medal
Army Achievement Medal
Gallant Unit Citation
Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Two Service Stars
Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal with One Service Star
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Alaska Commendation Medal
Alaska State Service Medal
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant Jun 25, 1994
First Lieutenant Jun 25, 1996
Captain Jun 25, 1998
Major Dec 1, 2004
Lieutenant Colonel Aug 1, 2011
Colonel Nov 15, 2021
(Current as of May 2024)