RICHMOND, Va. –
Maj. Gen. Bryan E. Salmon has been selected to serve as the United States Air Force Special Assistant to the Director of the Air National Guard at National Guard Bureau in Arlington, Virginia, according to an announcement made April 9, 2024, by Maj. Gen. James W. Ring, the Adjutant General of Virginia. Brig. Gen. Christopher Batterton has been selected to succeed Salmon as the Assistant Adjutant General for Air National Guard Strategic Initiatives.
“Maj. Gen. Salmon is an outstanding leader who clearly understands the evolving and complex strategic environment we face at home and abroad,” Ring said. “His experience and proven record of excellence make him uniquely qualified to lead in this capacity. I have complete confidence in his ability to meet tomorrow’s national security challenges and better protect our Nation.”
Both officers earned promotions with the new assignments. Salmon’s promotion to major general was effective April 1, and Batterton’s promotion to brigadier general was effective April 13. Formal promotion ceremonies are scheduled in April.
“Brig. Gen. Batterton is an ideal choice to serve in his new role,” Ring said. “His leadership at the 192nd Wing and as the Director of Strategic Plans and Policy has been outstanding. His expertise will be an incredible asset to our formation and the Commonwealth of Virginia.”
Salmon is currently dual-hatted as the Air National Guard Assistant to the Commander of First Air Force at Tyndall Air Force Base in Florida as well as VNG Assistant Adjutant General for Air National Guard Strategic Initiatives. He was commissioned in 1994 upon graduation from the U.S. Air Force Academy. He has served as a commander of the 192nd Operations Group, Director of Air National Guard Forces as well as the ANG Special Access Program Management Officer located at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia.
Salmon is a command pilot with more than 2,600 flying hours, including more than 220 hours leading combat missions in Operations Southern Watch and Northern Watch. In his civilian capacity, he is a pilot with a major transport company.
Batterton was commissioned in the Air Force in 1999 after graduating from the U.S. Air Force Academy, and he earned his pilot wings in 2000 upon graduation from Undergraduate Pilot Training at Vance Air Force Base, Oklahoma. While on active duty he served in the Republic of Korea, Shaw Air Force Base in South Carolina and in 2005 was selected for the F-22A and moved to the 27th Fighter Squadron, 1st Fighter Wing at Langley Air Force Base. In April 2009, Batterton joined the Virginia Air National Guard’s 149th Fighter Squadron as a drill status Guardsman. He has served as a flight commander, wing chief of safety and 192nd Operations Support Squadron commander. He commanded the 192nd Intelligence Squadron and 192nd Operations Group, and he later served as the vice commander of the 192nd Wing and then wing commander.
Batterton is a command pilot with more than 2,000 hours in fighter aircraft, including leading missions in multiple CONUS and OCONUS exercises and participating in deployments to include Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.