BRIGADIER GENERAL IAN J.M. GILLIS
Brig. Gen. Ian J.M. Gillis serves as the Assistant Adjutant General - Air for the Maine National Guard, acting as lead advisor to The Adjutant General on all strategic planning and operations. He oversees mission readiness and operational effectiveness of more than 1,100 military and civilian personnel stationed at three locations across Maine. In this role, he ensures forces are fully equipped and trained to meet national defense requirements while supporting state-level emergency response and recovery missions.
Gillis began his career as an aircraft maintenance technician before commissioning into the Maine Air National Guard in 1992. Transitioning to full-time service in 1998, he served as the 101st Operational Support Squadron Director of Training, where he was a recognized air mobility KC-135 training expert and established the ANG Tanker Training Advisory Council. In 2013, he was appointed Chief of Wing Plans and played a pivotal role in developing the Tanker Nuclear Action Council. His distinguished career includes over 20 operational deployments as both a pilot and staff officer, complemented by leadership roles as Inspector General and Group Commander. Prior to assignment at Joint Force Headquarters, he commanded the 101st Air Refueling Wing, where he led 800 mission-ready airmen in global support operations.
EDUCATION
1992 Academy of Military Science, McGhee Tyson Air National Guard Base, Tenn.
1996 Bachelor of Science, Mechanical Engineering, University of Maine, Orono, Maine
1998 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala., by correspondence
1999 KC-135 Instructor Aircraft Commander Course, Altus AFB, Okla.
2003 Air Command Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2004 Air Force Advanced Instrument School, Randolph AFB, Texas
2004 Masters of Science, Business Administration and Management, Husson College, Bangor, Maine
2006 Combat Aircrew Tactics Studies, Fort Dix, N.J.
2006 Aircraft Mishap Investigation Course, Kirtland AFB, N.M.
2011 Air War College, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2012 Reserve Component National Security Course, Fort McNair, Md.
2018 Commander’s Development Course, National Guard Bureau, Joint Base Andrews, Md.
ASSIGNMENTS
1. April 1988 - March 1992, Aerospace Ground Equipment Tech, 101st Consolidated Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Bangor, Maine
2. April 1992 - July 1993, Undergraduate Pilot Training, Vance Air Force Base, Okla.
3. August 1993 - December 1993, KC-135R Combat Crew Training School, Castel AFB, Calif.
4. December 1993 - July 1998, KC-135E Pilot and Aircraft Commander, 132nd Air Refueling Squadron, Bangor, Maine
5. August 1998 - February 2000, Tanker Taskforce Planner, 101st Operations Support Flight, Bangor, Maine
6. February 2000 - May 2003, Chief of Scheduling, 101st Operations Support Flight, Bangor, Maine
7. May 2003 - October 2013, Advanced Instrument Instructor, Tactics Officer, Director of Training, 101st Operations Support Squadron, Bangor, Maine
8. November 2013 - June 2015, Chief of Wing Plans, 101st Air Refueling Wing, Bangor, Maine
9. July 2015 - November 2016, Inspector General, 101st ARW, Bangor, Maine
10. November 2016 - April 2018, Chief of Wing Plans, 101st ARW, Bangor, Maine
11. April 2018 - April 2019, Director of Operations - Air & Deputy Director of Joint Operations, Joint Force Headquarters, Augusta, Maine
12. April 2019 - August 2020, Commander, 101st Maintenance Group, Bangor, Maine
13. August 2020 - November 2021, Vice Wing Commander, 101st ARW, Bangor, Maine
14. November 2021 - November 2023, Commander, 101st ARW, Bangor, Maine
15. November 2023 - March 2024, Director of Operations, Maine Air National Guard, JFHQ, Augusta, Maine
16. April 2024 - August 2024, Retired Reserve
17. August 2024 - November 2025, Chief of Staff & Commander of the Maine Air National Guard, JFHQ, Augusta, Maine
18. November 2025 - Present, Assistant Adjutant General - Air, MENG, JFHQ, Augusta, Maine
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Rating: Command Pilot
Flight Hours: More than 4,700 military hours
Military aircraft flown: T-37, T-38, KC-135E, KC-135R, KC-135T
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Legion of Merit (with one oak leaf cluster)
Meritorious Service Medal (with six oak leaf clusters)
Air Medal
Aerial Achievement Medal
Air Force Commendation Medal (with three oak leaf clusters)
Air Force Achievement Medal
Combat Readiness Medal with fourteen oak leaf clusters
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant April 9, 1992
First Lieutenant May 15, 1994
Captain May 15, 1996
Major May 24, 2001
Lieutenant Colonel Oct. 19, 2006
Colonel May 15, 2018
Brigadier General March 31, 2024
(Current as of April 2026)