Champagne promoted to Major General, will take on new assignment

  • Published
  • By 1st Lt. Sean Navarro
  • 131st Bomb Wing Public Affairs
Missouri National Guard's Assistant Adjutant General - Air, Brig. Gen. Gregory S. Champagne, was promoted to the rank of major general in a ceremony today at the Joint Force Headquarters.

In addition to putting on a second star, Champagne will be transitioning to his new role as the Air National Guard Assistant to the Commander for Air Force Global Strike Command.  Each major command has a two-star general serving in a similar capacity. 

Although Champagne will work at Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana for drill weekends, he will remain a member of the Missouri Air National Guard.

"Brig. Gen. Champagne is a proven leader and an outstanding Air National Guard officer," said Maj. Gen. Steve Danner, adjutant general of the Missouri National Guard. "He provides great representation of the quality service members the Missouri National Guard produces."

Champagne started as the assistant adjutant general - air when he was promoted to the rank of brigadier general in April 2013.  Danner added that during this time, he oversaw the growth of Missouri Air National Guard units across the state.

"Under his leadership, the 139th Airlift Wing gained the weapons school mission for the C-130 Hercules, which trains both active duty and the Air National Guard," Danner said. "The 131st Bomb Wing completed the process to become nuclear certified, which enables the Guardsmen to more fully operate with the active duty for the B-2 Spirit nuclear mission. The 157th Air Operations Group gained an air operations center mission, which also works with active duty and increases the capabilities that are being offered by the Missouri Guardsmen."

Champagne began his career in the Missouri Air National Guard when he received his commission through the Academy of Military Science.  He has flown F-4 Phantoms, F-15 Eagles, and achieved combat mission ready status in the B-2 Spirit in 2008.

Additionally, Champagne has a broad background of experience with assignments in flying operations, logistics, aircraft maintenance, a National Guard Bureau staff assignment, and wing staff positions.  He has flown combat missions in Operations Provide Comfort and Southern Watch. He commanded the 407th Air Expeditionary Group at Tallil Air Base, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Champagne has been awarded numerous medals, ribbons and other citations, including the Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster, Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leave clusters, Air Force and Army Commendation medals, Air Force Achievement Medal and Joint Meritorious Unit Award.