Brig Gen Joshua D. Armstrong is the Commander, 176th Wing, Alaska Air National Guard, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska. He is responsible for the recruiting, retention and training of nearly 1,600 Air National Guard members. General Armstrong directs wing operations involving a diverse fleet of C-17, HH-60, and HC-130J aircraft; the Guardian Angel weapon system; an Air Defense Squadron; and a full spectrum of agile combat support capabilities for statewide and global missions. He ensures the wing meets its obligations to the Alaska North American Aerospace Defense Region for search and rescue and air defense, fulfills Pacific Air Forces' strategic airlift requirements, and projects combat and mobility air forces as tasked by the National Guard Bureau.
Colonel Armstrong received his commission from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University’s ROTC program. After completing Joint Service Undergraduate Navigator Training, he was assigned to the 517th Airlift Squadron at Elmendorf AFB, Alaska. During this assignment he was deployed to the Coalition Forces Land Component Command in Camp Doha, Kuwait as a liaison to the 3d Army. He was then assigned to the 62d Airlift Squadron at Little Rock AFB, until he separated from Active Duty, and joined the Alaska Air National Guard’s 176th Wing at Kulis ANGB, Alaska. He has commanded both the 26th Expeditionary Rescue Squadron at Al Asad Air Base, Iraq and the 211th Rescue Squadron at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska. Col Armstrong has participated in multiple combat deployments to Kuwait, Afghanistan and Iraq supporting Operations ENDURING FREEDOM, IRAQI FREEDOM and INHERENT RESOLVE. Prior to his current position, he served as Commander, 176th Operations Group, Joint Base Elmendorf- Richardson, Alaska.
EDUCATION
1994 Bachelor of Science, Aviation Comp Science, Embry-Riddle Aero University, Prescott, Ariz.
1994 Basic Communications Officer Training, Keesler Air Force Base, Miss.
1999 Joint Specialized Undergraduate Navigator Training, Training Air Wing 6, Pensacola NAS, Fla.
2000 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2001 Combat Aircrew Tactics Studies, Rosecrans ANGB, St. Joseph, Mo.
2007 Advanced Airlift Tactical Training Course, Rosecrans ANGB, St. Joseph, Mo.
2010 Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2015 Air National Guard Intermediate Development Course, Washington, D.C.
2016 Squadron Commander’s Course, Andrews AFB, Md.
2016 Inspector General Training Course, Washington, D.C.
2020 Air War College, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2021 ANG Commander’s Leadership Course
ASSIGNMENTS
1. May 1994 – June 1999, Communications Officer, 81st Training Wing, Keesler Air Force Base, Miss.
2. June 1999 – December 1999, Student, Undergraduate Navigator Training, Training Air Wing 6, Pensacola NAS, Fla.
3. December 1999 – July 2003, C-130 Evaluator Navigator, 517th Airlift Squadron, Elmendorf AFB, Alaska
4. July 2003 – June 2006, C-130 FTU Evaluator Navigator, 62d Airlift Squadron Little Rock AFB, Ark.
5. June 2006 – March 2008, C-130 Evaluator Navigator, 144th Airlift Squadron, Kulis ANGB, Alaska
6. March 2008 – March 2009, Executive Officer, 176th Operations Group, Kulis ANGB, Alaska
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, Alaska
9. July 2013 – December 2014, Chief Navigator, Assistant Director of Operations, 144th Airlift Squadron, JBER, Alaska
10. December 2014 – December 2015, Director of Operations, 144th Airlift Squadron, JBER, Alaska
11. December 2015 – June 2016, Chief of Wing Plans, 176th Wing, JBER, Alaska
12. June 2016 – April 2019, Inspector General, 176th Wing, JBER, Alaska
13. April 2019 – November 2021, Commander, 211th Rescue Squadron, JBER, Alaska (26th Expeditionary Rescue Squadron, Al Asad AB, Iraq)
14. November 2021 – July 2022, Deputy Commander, 176th Operations Group, JBER, Alaska
15. July 2022 – April 2024, Commander, 176th Operations Group, JBER, Alaska
16. April 2024 – September 2024, Deputy Commander, 176th Wing, JBER, Alaska
17. September 2024 – Present, Commander, 176th Wing, JBER, Alaska
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Rating: Master Navigator
Flight hours: 4000+ Military, 420+ Combat hours
Aircraft flown: T-34, T-1, C-130E/H, MC-130J, HC-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 December 2025)