Col. David J. Shattls is the 108th Wing Commander, New Jersey Air National Guard, Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst. The 108th Wing’s federal mission is to provide rapid global airpower and cyberspace operations to support Air Mobility, Air Force Special Operations and Air Combat Commands. Furthermore, the Wing deploys expeditionary forces in support of worldwide combat, contingency, and humanitarian efforts. The Wing’s state mission is to support the Governor of New Jersey in disaster or domestic emergency response situations. In addition to operating and maintaining KC-46 aircraft as a classically associated unit, the Wing operates C-32B aircraft and has cyberspace operations and intelligence missions. The 108th Wing, with more than 1,200 members, is an Air National Guard unit and a reserve component of the Air Force’s Air Mobility Command.

 

Colonel Shattls enlisted in the Pennsylvania Air National Guard at the 111th Fighter Wing in November 2000. He was commissioned through the Academy of Military Science in 2002 and earned his pilot wings from Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas in 2003. Following an operational assignment with the 108th Air Refueling Wing, New Jersey Air National Guard, which included a deployment to support the Icelandic Air Defense in 2005, Col Shattls joined the District of Columbia Air National Guard. As the C-38 Lead Evaluator Pilot and Program Manager, he ensured the standardization of all crew members and the operational integrity of all aircraft activities. In 2014, Col Shattls completed the National Intelligence University Masters of Strategic Intelligence program through the Office of the Director of National Intelligence. His thesis focused on National Guard involvement in critical infrastructure support through the cyber domain. Col Shattls has commanded at the squadron and group echelon in the Oregon Air National Guard, providing critical support to the air superiority mission in support of OPERATION Noble Eagle. Prior to his current assignment, the Colonel was the Guard Advisor to the Commander, USTRANSCOM, Scott AFB, Ill.

 

He is a command pilot with more than 4,500 combined military and civilian flight hours and has flown as a commercial pilot for two airlines and a private jet charter operation.

 

EDUCATION

1999 Bachelors of Science, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, ND

2002 Academy of Military Science, McGee Tyson ANGB, Knoxville, Tenn.

2010 Squadron Officer School, Air University, Maxwell AFB, Ala., in residence

2013 Reserve Component National Security Course, National Defense University, Fort Leslie J. McNair, Washington D.C.

2014 Masters of Strategic Intelligence, National Intelligence University, JB Anacostia Bolling, Washington D.C., in residence

2015 Masters of Military Operational Art and Science, Air University, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence

2017 Professional Speechwriter Course, Georgetown University, Washington D.C. 

2020 Air War College, Air University, Maxwell AFB, Alabama, by correspondence

2022 Masters of Science, The Eisenhower School for National Security and Resource Strategy, Ft. McNair, Washington, D.C.

2023 Safety and Accident Investigation Board President Course, Kirtland Air Force Base, NM

2024 National and International Security Leadership Seminar, Allan L. Freed Associates, Washington, D.C.

 

ASSIGNMENTS

1. November 2000 – May 2002, Operations Support, 103rd Fighter Squadron, 111th Fighter Wing, Willow Grove Air Reserve Station, Pa.
2. May 2002 – June 2002, Officer Candidate, Academy of Military Science, Knoxville, Tenn.
3. June 2002 – Aug 2003, Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training, Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas
4. January 2004 – May 2004, KC-135 Co-pilot Initial Qualification, Altus AFB, Okla.
5. May 2004 – November 2005, KC-135E Co-pilot, 141st Air Refueling Squadron, McGuire AFB, NJ
6. December 2005 – April 2012, C-38 Evaluator Pilot, 201st Air Lift Squadron, 113th Wing, Joint Base Andrews, Md.
7. April 2012 – July 2013, Executive Officer, 201st Airlift Squadron, 113th Wing, JB Andrews, Md.
8. Aug 2013 – July 2014, Student, National Intelligence University, JB Anacostia Bolling, Washington, D.C.
9. Oct 2014 – May 2017, Chief, Strategy and Integration Branch, ANG Plans and Programs, JB Andrews, Md.
10. May 2017 – October 2018, Strategic Planner, CNGBs Action Group, the Pentagon, Washington, D.C.
11. October 2018 – June 2019, Senior Military Assistant and Director – Chief Management Officer Action Group, Office of the Secretary of Defense, the Pentagon, Washington, D.C.
12. July 2019 – June 2021, Commander, 142nd Logistics Readiness Squadron, 142nd Wing, Oregon Air National Guard, Portland Air National Guard Base, Portland, Ore.
13. July 2021 – June 2022, Student, National Defense University, Eisenhower School for National Security and Resource Strategy, Ft. McNair, Washington, D.C.
14. June 2022 – December 2023, Commander, 142nd Mission Support Group, 142nd Wing, Oregon Air National Guard, Portland ANGB, Portland, Ore.
15. December 2023 – March 2025, Guard Advisor, USTRANSCOM, Scott AFB, Ill.
16. April 2025 – Present, Commander, 108th Wing, New Jersey Air National Guard, Joint Base, McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, NJ

 

SUMMARY OF JOINT ASSIGNMENTS

1. May 2017 – October 2018, Strategic Planner, CNGBs Action Group, the Pentagon, Washington, D.C., as a Lieutenant Colonel
2. October 2018 – June 2019, Senior Military Assistant and Director – Chief Management Officer Action Group, Office of the Secretary of Defense, the Pentagon, Washington, D.C., as a Lieutenant Colonel
3. December 2023 – March 2025, Guard Advisor, USTRANSCOM, Scott AFB, Ill., as a Colonel

 

FLIGHT INFORMATION

Rating:  command pilot

Flight hours:  More than 2000 flight hours in military aircraft, more than 2500 hours in civilian aircraft

Aircraft flown:  C-40C (B737), C-38 (G100), KC-135E/R, T-38A/C, T-37, CL-65, E145, C500

 

MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS

Defense Superior Service Medal

Defense Meritorious Service Medal

Meritorious Service Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters

Air and Space Commendation Medal

Air and Space Achievement Medal

Defense Meritorious Unit Award

AF Outstanding Unit Award with two Oak Leaf Clusters

Army Superior Unit Award

 

EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION

Airman First Class                        November 20, 2000

Second Lieutenant                       June 21, 2002

First Lieutenant                            June 21, 2004

Captain                                        June 21, 2006

Major                                            November 05, 2011

Lieutenant Colonel                       March 23, 2016

Colonel                                        March 12, 2022

 

(Current as of April 2025)