JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska -- Alaska Air National Guard Col. Darrin Slaten, 176th Wing commander, was promoted to brigadier general during a May 11, 2018, ceremony at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson.
Slaten took command of the wing March 3, 2018, following an assignment with the National Guard Bureau as the principal deputy director of Air, Space and Information Operations for the Air National Guard.
Slaten’s sons, Cameron and Christopher, and his father, Billy, pinned a star each – two for the wing commander's epaulettes and one for his cap – during the ceremony at JBER's Hangar 18.
Brig. Gen. Karen Mansfield, Alaska Air National Guard commander, presided over the ceremony and said Slaten has excelled at every level of command, and he is ready to assume the mantle of brigadier general.
“I know you're honored to lead [the wing], and I know they're honored to have someone with your depth and breadth of experience, skill and professionalism,” she said.
Slaten said he couldn't have made it this far without the assistance of noncommissioned officers and junior officers who supported him throughout his career.
Joined by wife, Dawn, Slaten said it was no mistake the ceremony was scheduled on Military Spouse Appreciation Day. He said though family members don't wear the uniform or carry a rifle, they nonetheless carry the burden of separation and worry.
“The family represents those elements of the American dream and our way of life that I feel are the deepest motivators for us in uniform,” he said.