Chief of Joint Staff, JFHQ Alaska
Brigadier General Sharon S. Dieffenderfer is Chief of the Joint Staff for the Alaska National Guard. She serves as the principal executive assistant and advisor to the Adjutant General, overseeing a variety of joint staff programs which include the development, execution and evaluation of programs and policies pertaining to the command, control, operation and management of the Joint functions at State headquarters level. Previously, she served as the J-1/ Human Resources Officer for the Alaska National Guard.
Brigadier General Dieffenderfer entered the Air Force and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant through Officer Training School in November 1979. She is a distinguished graduate of the Aircraft Maintenance Officer Course at Chanute AFB, IL and served as an academic advisor to two allied officers while in training.
EDUCATION
- Bachelor of Arts in History from the University of Alaska, Anchorage
- Bachelor of Science Degree in Health and Physical Education from Bridgewater State College, MA
- Masters of Science Degree in Guidance and Counseling from the University of La Verne, CA
- Squadron Officer School 1983
- Air Command and Staff College 1988
- Air War College 1998
- Advanced Joint Professional Military Education 2009
ASSIGNMENTS
- Jun 80 - May 82, OIC 834 AGS, 1st Special Operations Wing (SOW), Hurlburt Field, FL
- May 82 - Apr 84, Maintenance Supervisor, 834 CRS, 1 SOW, Hurlburt Field, FL
- Apr 84 - May 88, Maintenance Officer, 616 CAMS, Elmendorf AFB, AK
- May 88 - Jul 90, Chief, Maintenance Standardization and Evaluation Team, HQ MAC DCS/Logistics, Scott AFB, IL
- Jul 90 - Oct 91, Inspection Team, Crisis Action Team-Logistics for Operation DESERT STORM/SHIELD, HQ MAC/IG, Scott AFB, IL
- Oct 91 - Dec 92, Field Maintenance Officer, 176 CAMS, Kulis ANG Base, AK
- Dec 92 - Jan 94, Maintenance Control Supervisor, 176 CAMS, Kulis ANG Base, AK
- Jan 94 - Oct 94, Commander, 176 CAMS, Kulis ANG Base, AK
- Oct 94 - Apr 97, Commander, 176th Maintenance Squadron, Kulis ANG Base, AK
- Apr 97 - Jun 98, Commander, 176th Logistics Squadron, Kulis ANG Base, AK
- Jun 98 - Sep 00, Commander, 176th Aircraft Generation Squadron, Kulis ANG Base, AK
- Sep 00 - Dec 04, Executive Support Staff Officer, HQ-AKANG, Fort Richardson, AK
- Dec 04 - Jun 07, Vice Commander, 176th Wing, Kulis ANG Base, AK
- Jul 07 - Feb 09, Joint Forces Headquarters-Alaska, J-1/HRO, Fort Richardson, AK
- Feb 09- Present, Joint Forces Headquarters-Alaska, Chief, Joint Staff, Fort Richardson, AK
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
- Legion of Merit
- Air Force Meritorious Service Medal (with Two Oak Leaf Clusters)
- Air Force Commendation Medal
- Air Force Achievement Medal
- Air Force Outstanding Unit Award (with Valor Device & three Oak Leaf Clusters)
- Air Force Organizational Excellence Award
- National Defense Service Medal (with Bronze Star Device)
- Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
- Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal
- Air Force Overseas Ribbon Long Tour
- Air Force Longevity Service Ribbon (with 1Silver Leaf & 1 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters)
- Armed Forces Reserve Medal with one device
- Air Force Training Ribbon
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
- Second Lieutenant - 28 November 1979
- First Lieutenant - 28 November 1981
- Captain - 28 November 1983
- Major - 5 April 1992
- Lieutenant Colonel - 14 April 1996
- Colonel - 30 March 2001
- Brigadier General - 7 August 2009
(Current as of 27 August 2009)