BRIGADIER GENERAL IAN J.M. GILLIS
Brig. Gen. Ian J.M. Gillis is the Chief of Staff for the State of Maine, and also serves as the
Commander, Maine Air National Guard. In these roles, he is the primary
advisor to The Adjutant General on all programs, strategic planning, and
operations affecting the Maine Air National Guard. He is responsible for the
mission readiness and operational effectiveness across a broad spectrum
of programs and activities involving over 1100 military and civilian
personnel serving at three locations within Maine. In this role, General Gillis
oversees development of operationally trained, equipped, and mission
ready forces in support of national defense requirements and emergency
response, relief, and recovery operations throughout Maine.
General Gillis began his career as an aircraft maintenance technician prior
to attending the Academy of Military Science and earning a commission in
the Maine Air National Guard. He was a Drill Status Guardsman in the
132nd Air Refueling Squadron until 1998 when he was hired full time. As
Director of Training for the 101st Operational Support Squadron, he was a
recognized ANG and Air Mobility expert in KC-135 Training and established
the ANG Tanker Training Advisory Council. In 2013, General Gillis became
the Chief of Wing plans and was integral in developing the Tanker Nuclear
Action Council. He has over 20 Operational Deployments as a pilot and
staff officer. Prior to his assignment at State Headquarters, he commanded
the 101st Air Refueling Wing leading 800 mission ready airmen to support
any tasking.
EDUCATION
1996 Bachelor of Science, Mechanical Engineering, University of Maine, Orono, ME
1998 Squadron Officer School, by correspondence
2003 Air Command Staff College, by correspondence
2004 Masters of Science, Business Administration and Management, Husson College, Bangor, ME
2011 Air War College, 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 SQ, Bangor, ME
2. April 1992–July 1993, Undergraduate Pilot Training, Vance AFB, OK
3. August 1993–December 1993, KC 135R Combat Crew Training School, Castel AFB, CA
4. December 1993–July 1998, KC-135E Pilot and Aircraft Commander, 132nd Air Refueling Squadron, Bangor, ME
5. August 1998–February 2000, Tanker Taskforce Planner, 101st Operations Support Flight, Bangor, ME
6. February 2000–May 2003, Chief of Scheduling, 101st Operations Support Flight, Bangor, ME
7. May 2003–October 2013, Advanced Instrument Instructor, Tactics Officer, Director of Training, 101st Operations Support
Squadron, Bangor, ME
8. November 2013–June 2015, Chief of Wing Plans, 101st Air Refueling Wing, Bangor, ME
9. July 2015–November 2016, Inspector General, 101st Air Refueling Wing, Bangor, ME
10. November 2016–April 2018, Chief of Wing Plans, 101st Air Refueling Wing, Bangor, ME
11. April 2018–April 2019, Director of Operations, Deputy Director of Joint Operations, MeANG Joint Force HQ, Augusta, ME
12. April 2019–August 2020, Commander, 101st Maintenance Group, Bangor, ME
13. August 2020–November 2021, Vice Wing Commander. 101st Air Refueling Wing, Bangor ME
14. November 2021–November 2023, Wing Commander. 101st Air Refueling Wing, Bangor ME
15. November 2023–March 2024, Director of Operations, MeANG Joint Force HQ, Augusta, ME
16. August 2024–Present, Chief of Staff / Commander of the Maine ANG, MeANG Joint Force HQ, Augusta, ME
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Rating: Command Pilot
Flight Hours: More than 4500 military hours
Military aircraft flown: T-37, T-38, KC-135E, KC-135R, KC-135T
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Legion of Merit with an 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 – October 19, 2006
Colonel – May 15, 2018
Brigadier General – March 31, 2024
(Current as of Oct 2024)