Col. Joshua D. Armstrong is the commander of the 176th Wing, Alaska Air National Guard, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska. He is responsible for the recruiting, retention and training of more nearly 1,600 Air National Guard members, operating a diverse mix of C-17 Globemaster III, HH-60 Black Hawk, and HC-130J Hercules aircraft, Guardian Angel, an Air Defense Squadron, and a full array of agile combat support capability for in-state and world-wide deployment. He ensures the Alaska North American Aerospace Defense Region search and rescue and air defense priorities, the Pacific Air Forces strategic airlift requirements, and combat force projection for Mobility and Combat Air Forces missions are coordinated through the National Guard Bureau.
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 then-Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska. During this assignment he was deployed to the Coalition Forces Land Component Command in Camp Doha, Kuwait as a liaison to the 3rd Army. He was then assigned to the 62nd Airlift Squadron at Little Rock Air Force Base until he separated from active duty, and joined the Alaska Air National Guard’s 176th Wing at Kulis Air National Guard Base, Alaska. He has commanded both the 26th Expeditionary Rescue Squadron at Al-Asad Air Base, Iraq and the 211th Rescue Squadron at JBER, Alaska. 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 of the 176th Operations Group, at JBER.
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
- May 1994 – June 1999, Communications Officer, 81st Training Wing, Keesler AFB, Mississippi
- June 1999 – December 1999, Student, Undergraduate Navigator Training, TRAWING 6, Pensacola NAS, FL
- December 1999 – July 2003, C-130 Evaluator Navigator, 517th Airlift Squadron, Elmendorf AFB, AK
- July 2003 – June 2006, C-130 FTU Evaluator Navigator, 62nd Airlift Squadron Little Rock AFB, AR
- June 2006 – March 2008, C-130 Evaluator Navigator, 144th Airlift Squadron, Kulis ANGB, AK
- March 2008 – March 2009, Executive Officer, 176th Operations Group, Kulis ANGB, AK
- March 2009 – August 2011, Chief, 176th Operations Group Standardization and Evaluation
- August 2011 – July 2013, Chief of Current Operations, 144th Airlift Squadron, JBER, AK
- July 2013 – December 2014, Chief Navigator, Assistant Director of Operations, 144th Airlift Squadron, JBER, AK
- December 2014 – December 2015, Director of Operations, 144th Airlift Squadron, JBER, AK
- December 2015 – June 2016, Chief of Wing Plans, 176th Wing, JBER, AK
- June 2016 – April 2019, Inspector General, 176th Wing, JBER, AK
- April 2019 – November 2021, Commander, 211th Rescue Squadron, JBER, AK & 26th Expeditionary Rescue Squadron, Al Asad AB, Iraq
- November 2021 – July 2022, Deputy Commander, 176th Operations Group, JBER, AK
- July 2022 – April 2024, Commander, 176th Operations Group, JBER, AK
- April 2024 – September 2024, Deputy Commander, 176th Wing, JBER, AK
- September 2024 – Present, 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, 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 Nov 2024)