Colonel Dann S. Carlson is the Commander, 154th Wing, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii. He is responsible for providing trained and wartime ready Airmen to the Governor and Combatant Commanders, execution of the Wing’s numerous mission sets and providing an adaptable, agile force able to respond to state civil emergencies and worldwide contingencies. Col Carlson is also responsible for ensuring that group and squadron commanders have the resources and guidance to maintain command and control over their units against all relevant threats and hazards to assure mission success. The 154th Wing is located on three Hawaiian Islands and is the largest wing in the Air National Guard with approximately 2,100 officers and enlisted personnel. The wing operates and maintains the C-17A, KC-135R and F-22A aircraft. In partnership with the 15th Wing, the 154th Wing is a force provider in a Classic Association for the C-17A aircraft and the 15th Wing provides personnel for an Active Association for the F22A aircraft. Additionally, the 154th Wing executes Air Traffic Control, Combat Communications, Intelligence, and Weather missions. The 154th Wing presents a Total Force ready for combat and peacetime support in operations across the State of Hawaii and throughout the world.
Colonel Carlson graduated from the United States Air Force Academy as a distinguished graduate in 1989 with a degree in Aeronautical Engineering. He holds a Masters of Business Administration from Trident University and a masters of Strategic Studies from Air War College, in residence. While on active duty he served in various capacities as a combat proven F-16 instructor/evaluator pilot, Harrier exchange pilot, Thunderbird Pilot, Fighter Squadron Commander, Air Base Group Commander and Deputy Joint Base Commander. He logged combat flight hours in Operations DELIBERATE GUARD and SOUTHERN WATCH. Prior to this assignment, Col Carlson was the Director of Plans and Programs for the state headquarters A-Staff as a drill status guardsman and the Assistant Superintendent, Hawaii State Department of Education, Office of School Facilities and Support Services as a civilian.
EDUCATION
1989 Bachelor of Science in Aeronautical Engineering (distinguished graduate), USAFA, Colorado Springs, Colo
1990 Undergraduate Pilot Training, Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training, Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas
1991 F-16 Qualification Training, MacDill Air Force Base, Fla
1995 Squadron Officers School, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala
1996 Royal Air Force Harrier Qualification Training, RAF Wittering, Stamford, England
1999 Pilot Instructor Training, Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas
2002 Air Command and Staff College, by correspondence
2003 Masters of Business Administration, Trident University, Calif
2004 Upgrade Instructor Pilot Training, Introduction to Fighter Fundamentals, Moody Air Force Base, Ga
2009 Air War College, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala
ASSIGNMENTS
1. July 1989 – March 1991, Student, Undergraduate Pilot Training, Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas
2. March 1991 – September 1991, Student, F-16 Qualification Training, MacDill AFB, Fla
3. September 1991 – October 1992, F-16 Fighter Pilot, Homestead AFB, Fla
4. October 1992 – January 1996, F-16 Instructor Pilot, Moody AFB, Ga
5. January 1996 – November 1998, Royal Air Force Exchange Officer, Assistant Director of Operations, Harrier Instructor Pilot, RAF Wittering, England
6. November 1998 – November 2001, Flight Commander, Instructor Pilot, Sheppard AFB, Texas
7. November 2001 – February 2004, Thunderbird #8, F-16 Instructor Pilot, Nellis AFB, Nevada
8. February 2004 – June 2006, Operations Officer, Instructor/Evaluator Pilot, 435th Fighter Training Squadron, Moody AFB, Ga
9. June 2006 – July 2008, Commander, 435th Fighter Training Squadron, Randolph AFB, Texas
10. July 2008 – June 2009, Student, Air War College, Maxwell AFB, Ala
11. June 2009 – April 2011, Branch Chief / Deputy Plans Division Chief, EUCOM, Stuttgart, Germany
12. April 2011 – July 2013, Commander, 647th Air Base Group / Deputy Joint Base Commander, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii
13. July 2013 – January 2014, Special Assistant to the Director, Secretary Of the Air Force International Affairs, Pentagon
14. January 2014 – December 2014, Air Attaché’ Designate (training), Defense Intelligence Agency, Joint Base Anacostia-Boling, Washington DC
15. December 2014 – May 2018, Retired Status, Hawaii
16. May 2018 – July 2019, Director of Plans and Programs, Headquarters Hawaii Air National Guard, Fort Ruger, Hawaii
17. July 2019 – Present, Commander, Headquarters 154th Wing, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii
SUMMARY OF JOINT ASSIGNMENTS
1. June 2009 – April 2011, Branch Chief / Deputy Plans Division Chief, EUCOM, Stuttgart, Germany
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Rating: Command Pilot
Flight Hours: More than 3,800
Combat hours: 285.6
Aircraft flown: F-16C/D, GR-7 Harrier (RAF), AT-38, T-38A, Hawk (RAF), and Gazelle (RAF)
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Legion of Merit
Defense Meritorious Service Medal
Air Force Meritorious Service Medal with four oak leaf clusters
Air medal with two oak leaf clusters
Aerial Achievement Medal with one oak leaf cluster
Joint Service Commendation Medal
Air Force Commendation Medal
Navy Commendation Medal
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant May 31, 1989
First Lieutenant May 31, 1991
Captain May 31, 1993
Major, August 1, 2000
Lieutenant Colonel, September 1, 2005
Colonel May 5, 2014 (adjusted)
(Current as of July 2019)