Brig. Gen. Humberto Pabon Jr. is the Assistant Adjutant General and Commander of the Puerto Rico Air National Guard. He is the principal advisor to the Adjutant General of Puerto Rico for air matters. He commands over 1,100 bilingual multi-capable Airmen that specialize in Contingency Response, Combat Communications, Air Advisors, and Host Nation Riders in support of federal and state missions.
Brig. Gen. Pabon is a 1998 graduate from Polytechnic University, San Juan, Puerto Rico with a degree in Science of Civil Engineering. He received his commission through the Academy of Military Science in 1998. In 2000, he graduated specialized undergraduate pilot training at Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas. Brig. Gen. Pabon is a C-130 command pilot. He flew combat missions in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM and JOINT FORGE with over 260 combat hours. Additional contingency experience in support of JTF-Katrina, CORONET OAK, and Hurricane Maria relief efforts in Puerto Rico. He has extensive operational experience in the Central and South America as well as the Caribbean region. The general has held leadership positions at the squadron, group, wing, and joint forces headquarters level.
In his civilian job, the general is an airline pilot with a major U.S. cargo carrier as a B757/767 first officer. Prior to his current position, the brigadier general was the Chief of Staff–Air at Joint Forces Headquarters with the Puerto Rico Air National Guard.
EDUCATION
1998 Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering, Polytechnic University, San Juan, Puerto Rico
1998 Academy of Military Science, McGhee Tyson Air National Guard Base, Tenn.
2008 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2015 Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2015 Safety and Accident Investigation Board President Course, Kirtland AFB, N.M.
2016 Air War College, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2019 Commander Development Course, Joint Base Andrews, Md.
2020 Air Advisor Course, JB McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J.
2021 Director of Mobility Forces Course (DIRMOBFOR), Hurlburt Field AFB, Fla.
2023 General and Flag Officer Homeland Security Executive Seminar, Harvard Kennedy School, Boston, Mass.
ASSIGNMENTS
1. September 1993-December 1998, Command Post Controller, 156th Fighter Wing, Muñiz ANGB, Puerto Rico
2. January 1999-January 2000, Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training, 47th Flying Training Wing, Laughlin AFB, Texas
3. April 2000-June 2003, C-130E Mission Copilot, 198th Airlift Squadron, Muñiz ANGB, Puerto Rico
4. June 2003-December 2005, C-130E Aircraft Commander, 198th Airlift Squadron, Muñiz ANGB, Puerto Rico
5. December 2005-April 2008, C-130E Instructor Pilot, 198th Airlift Squadron, Muñiz ANGB, Puerto Rico
6. May 2008-May 2010, Chief of Training, 156th Operations Support Flight, Muñiz ANGB, Puerto Rico
7. June 2010-August 2010 Commander, 169th Expeditionary Intelligence Squadron, Forward Operating Location Curaçao, Netherland Antilles
8. August 2010-December 2011, Stan/Eval Pilot, 156th Operations Group, Muñiz ANGB, Puerto Rico
9. December 2011-April 2013, Wing Plans and Programs, 156th Airlift Wing, Muñiz ANGB, Puerto Rico
10. April 2013-July 2014, Operations Officer, 198th Airlift Squadron, Muñiz ANGB, Puerto Rico
11. July 2014-November 2014, Commander, 156th Operations Support Squadron, Muñiz ANGB, Puerto Rico
12. November 2014-September 2016, Commander, 198th Airlift Squadron, Muñiz ANGB, Puerto Rico
13. October 2016-August 2017, Director of Operations–Air, Joint Forces Headquarters, Fort Buchanan, Puerto Rico
14. August 2017-September 2022, Vice Commander, 156th Wing, Muñiz ANGB, Puerto Rico
15. September 2022-December 2022, Commander, 156th Wing, Muñiz ANGB, Puerto Rico
16. December 2022-June 2023, Chief of Staff–Air, JFHQ, Fort Buchanan, Puerto Rico
17. June 2023-Present, Assistant Adjutant General–Air/Commander, JFHQ, Fort Buchanan, Puerto Rico
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Rating: Command Pilot
Flight Hours: more than 4,200, including more than 260 combat hours
Aircraft flown: T-37B, T-1A, C-130E/H, WC-130H
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Legion of Merit
Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Air Medal
Aerial Achievement Medal
Air Force Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Combat Readiness Medal with silver oak leaf cluster
National Defense Service Medal with bronze star
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
Afghanistan Campaign Medal with bronze star
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Humanitarian Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters
NATO Medal
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
FAA Airline Transport Pilot Certificate
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS & AFFILIATIONS
National Guard Association of the United States
National Guard Association of Puerto Rico
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant Sept. 24, 1998
First Lieutenant Sept. 24, 2000
Captain Oct. 6, 2002
Major Jan. 12, 2009
Lieutenant Colonel Oct. 22, 2013
Colonel Dec. 2, 2017
Brigadier General Dec. 7, 2022
(Current as of September 2023)