Brigadier General Matthew G. Brancato is the Commander, 127th Wing, Selfridge Air National Guard Base, Michigan. He is responsible for the readiness of more than 1,700 Air National Guardsmen in support of multiple federal and state missions, and he oversees flying missions for the A-10 and KC-135 aircraft. The 127th Wing is also host to 70 tenant units, including every branch of the military and several Department of Homeland Security organizations—totaling more than 5,000 active, Guard, Reserve, and civilian personnel.
Brigadier General Brancato graduated from the United States Air Force Academy in 1999 with a Bachelor of Science in General Engineering. After completing an overseas short tour at Aviano Air Base, Italy, he attended Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training at Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas where he flew the T-37B and T-1 aircraft, earning his pilot wings in 2001. His first flying assignment was at Charleston Air Force Base, South Carolina, flying the C-17 Globemaster III in support of Operations ENDURING FREEDOM and IRAQI FREEDOM. After three years and over 1,500 hours in the C-17, he returned to the US Air Force Academy to fly the TG-10 and TG-15 aircraft. In 2008, Brigadier General Brancato transferred to Hector Field ANGB, Fargo, North Dakota, and transitioned to fly the MQ-1B Predator Remotely Piloted Aircraft. While assigned to the 119th Operations Group in North Dakota, he served as the Executive Officer for the Operations Group Commander, and then as a Flight Commander and Director of Operations of the 178th Reconnaissance Squadron. In 2015, he became the RPA Functional Area Manager at the ANG Readiness Center at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland. He was responsible for all ANG Remotely Piloted Intelligence Surveillance, and Reconnaissance platforms, including 12 RPA Wings, and a Classic Associate Unit at Creech AFB, Nevada. After his assignment at the ANGRC, he served as the 160th Attack Squadron Commander and then the 163d Operations Group Commander at March Air Reserve Base, California, where he commanded and led over 250 personnel, four squadrons, one weather flight and a Formal Training Unit. After his command tour in California, Brig. Gen. Brancato completed Senior Developmental Education at the National Defense University’s National War College. He then took command of the 164th Airlift Wing, Memphis, Tennessee.
Prior to his current position, Brigadier General Brancato served as the Senior Executive Officer to the 29th Chief, National Guard Bureau and member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. In his civilian capacity, Brig. Gen. Brancato opened a non-profit wellness retreat center for military survivors and their families in 2014.
EDUCATION
1999 Bachelor of General Engineering, USAF Academy, Colo.
2005 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2006 Master of Arts in Adult Education, Touro University International, Calif.
2008 Associate of Occupational Studies in Automotive Technology
2012 Air Command and Staff College, Correspondence
2017 Air War College, Correspondence
2020 Master of Science in National Security Strategy, National War College, Washington D.C.
2021 Commander Leadership Course, National Guard Bureau, Joint Base Andrews, MD
2021 Safety and Accident Investigation Board President Course, National Guard Bureau, Joint Base Andrews, MD
2021 Commander Legal Orientation Course, National Guard Bureau, Joint Base Andrews, MD
2022 U.S. Air Force Leading Strategically Program, Center for Creative Leadership, Colorado Springs, CO
2023 CJCS Level IV Anti terrorism Executive Seminar, McLean, Va.
2024 Nuclear 400 Course, Kirtland, NM.
2024 Executive Leadership Program Managing for Inclusion, Georgetown University, Washington, D.C.
2024 National Security Management Course, Maxwell School, Syracuse University, NY
ASSIGNMENTS
1. September 1999 - July 2000, Special Projects Officer, 603d Air Control Squadron, Aviano AB, Italy
2. July 2000 - December 2001, Undergraduate Pilot Training, Laughlin, Texas
3. December 2001 - May 2002, Assistant Chief of Readiness, C-17 Mission Pilot, 14th Airlift Squadron, Charleston AFB, S.C.
4. May 2002 - August 2004, Stan/Eval Liaison Officer, C-17 Airland/Airdrop Pilot, 14th Airlift Squadron, Charleston AFB, S.C.
5. August 2004 - February 2005, Pilot Scheduler, 14th Airlift Squadron, Charleston AFB, S.C.
6. February 2005 - November 2006, Chief of Training, 94th Flying Training Squadron, USAF Academy, Colo.
7. November 2006 - February 2008, Flight Commander, 94th Flying Training Squadron, USAF Academy, Colo.
8. February 2008 - May 2010, Chief of Scheduling, MQ-1 Instructor Pilot, 178th Reconnaissance Squadron, Fargo, N.D.
9. May 2010 - August 2011, Executive Officer, MQ-1 Instructor Pilot, 119th Operations Group, Fargo, N.D.
10. August 2011 - September 2012, Flight Commander, MQ-1 Instructor Pilot, 178th Reconnaissance Squadron, Fargo, N.D.
11. September 2012 - August 2014, Director of Operations, MQ-1 Instructor Pilot, 178th Reconnaissance Squadron, Fargo, N.D.
12. August 2014 - February 2017, Remotely Piloted Aircraft Functional Area Manager / MQ-1 Pilot, Joint Base Andrews, Md.
13. February 2017 - October 2017, Commander, 160th Attack Squadron, March ARB, Calif
14. October 2017 - June 2019, Commander, 163d Operations Group, March ARB, Calif.
15. June 2019 - July 2019, Advisor to National Guard Bureau A2/3/6/10 ISR Division, Joint Base Andrews, Md.
16. August 2019 - June 2020, National War College Student, National Defense University, Fort McNair, Washington, D.C.
17. June 2020 - June 2022, Commander, 164th Airlift Wing, Memphis, Tenn.
18. June 2022 - July 2023, Executive Officer to the Chief, National Guard Bureau, Pentagon, Washington, D.C.
19. August 2023 - Present, Commander, 127th Wing, Selfridge Air National Guard Base, Mich.
SUMMARY OF JOINT ASSIGNMENTS
1. June 2022 - July 2023, Executive Officer to the Chief, NGB, Pentagon, Washington, DC, as a Colonel
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Rating: Command Pilot
Flight Hours: 4,600
Aircraft Flown: T-37B, T-1, C-17, KC-135, TG-10, TG-15, MQ-1B, MQ-9
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Defense Superior Service Medal
Legion of Merit
Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Air Medal
Aerial Achievement Medal with three oak leaf clusters
Air and Space Commendation Medal one oak leaf cluster
Air and Space Achievement Medal
Combat Readiness Medal
NATO ISAF Service Medal
(Current as of June 2024)