Brigadier General (CA) Robert A. Spano recently served as the Director of Staff for the State Military Department at the California National Guard Joint Force Headquarters in Sacramento, California. Brigadier General (CA) Spano received his commission through the Reserve Officers’ Training Corp from Wentworth Military Academy, Lexington, Missouri in May 1984. He was assigned as a Second Lieutenant to the 1-143d Field Artillery, California Army National Guard in June 1984. In February 1991 he attended the U.S. Army Flight School, graduating as a UH-1 (Huey) pilot and was assigned as the Flight Platoon Leader, 126th Medical Company (Air Ambulance). His other key aviation assignments include: Commander, 126th Medical Company (Air Ambulance), Executive Officer, 40th Aviation Brigade and Battalion Commander 3-140th Aviation Battalion. In May 2006, he deployed to Iraq as the Deputy Chief of Staff, G5, Gulf Region Division, United States Army Corps of Engineers. During his tour, he was assigned to the Joint Strategic Assessment Team (JSAT), which consisted of 20 personnel selected by the Ambassador to Iraq, Ambassador Ryan Crocker and the Commander of Multi-National Forces Iraq, General David Petraeus to develop the Joint Campaign Plan for the Surge Strategy in Iraq. He completed his Iraq tour in May 2007. He subsequently served as the State Aviation Officer, California Army National Guard and as Commander, 1106th Theatre Aviation Support Maintenance Group in Fresno, CA. before assuming his current position. He is a rated pilot in both UH-1 Huey’s and UH60 Blackhawk Helicopters.