Brig Gen Drew E. Dougherty is the Commander of the Maryland Air National Guard and the Assistant Adjutant General - Air, at Warfield Air National Guard Base, Middle River, Maryland. In his capacity, he sets the strategic vision and intent for the Maryland Air National Guard, aligning it with the National Defense Strategy. He also serves as the principal advisor to the Governor and Adjutant General of Maryland on all matters pertaining to the Maryland Air National Guard, ensuring the readiness of more than 1,500 personnel, prepared to execute both federal and state missions. The primary missions he leads are full spectrum cyber operations, delivering offensive and defensive cyber effects, ensuring dominance in cyberspace, while also providing signals intelligence expertise. The organization is also responsible for providing ready Airmen to respond to stateside emergencies when necessary. On the national level, he simultaneously served as the Atlantic Region Chair, Director’s Advisor Council – Executive Board, for the National Guard Bureau.
Brig Gen Dougherty was commissioned upon graduation from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1998. Following graduation and commissioning, he attended Undergraduate Pilot Training at Vance Air Force Base, OK and earned his wings in May of 2000. He served 10 years on active duty before transitioning to the Air National Guard. Brig General Dougherty has spent over 17 years in the Air National Guard, having served as an A-10 Evaluator and Instructor Pilot. He has commanded at the Squadron and Group levels. Prior to his current job, Brig Gen Dougherty was the Chief of Staff of the Maryland Air National Guard.
In his civilian capacity, General Dougherty is a pilot with a major airline. He has more than 4,900 military flying hours, including over 900 combat hours on 6 contingency deployments in the A-10, supporting Operations SOUTHERN WATCH, ENDURING FREEDOM, INHERENT RESOLVE and FREEDOM’S SENTINEL.
EDUCATION
1998 Bachelor of Science in Business Management, United States Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colo.
2006 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.
2013 Intermediate Development Course (IDC), Air National Guard Readiness Center, Joint Base Andrews, Md.
2013 Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala., by correspondence
2018 Air War College, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala., by correspondence
2020 Commander Development Course (CDC), Air National Guard Readiness Center, Joint Base Andrews, Md.
2020 Safety & Accident Investigation Board President Course, Air National Guard Readiness Center, Joint Base Andrews, Md.
2022 Senior Leaders Course (SLC), Baltic Defense College, Riga, Latvia.
2022 Joint Task Force Commander Training Course, U.S. Northern Command, Colorado Springs, Colo.
2023 General and Flag Officer Homeland Security Executive Seminar, Harvard University, Cambridge, Mass.
2023 Senior Leader Orientation Course (SLOC), Joint Base Andrews, Md.
ASSIGNMENTS
1. May 1998 – May 1999, Instructor/Assistant Program Manager, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colo.
2. May 1999 – May 2000, Student, Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training, Vance AFB, Okla.
3. Jun 2000 – August 2000, Student, Introduction to Fighter Fundamentals, Columbus AFB, Miss.
4. August 2000 – March 2001, Student, A/OA-10 Pilot Initial Qualification Training Course, 357th Fighter Squadron, Davis Monthan AFB, Ariz.
5. April 2001 – April 2004, A-10/OA-10 Flight Lead, Forward Air Controller, Battalion Air Liaison Officer, Combat Search and Rescue Liaison Officer, Scheduling Officer, 354th Fighter Squadron, Davis Monthan AFB, Ariz.
6. April 2004 – April 2005, Instructor Pilot, Flight Commander, 25th Fighter Squadron, Osan AB, Korea
7. April 2005 – April 2008, Instructor Pilot, Course Commander, 19 Squadron, Royal Air Force, Valley, UK.
8. April 2008 – August 2013, Chief of Training, Flight Commander, Assistant Director of Operations, 104th Fighter Squadron, Warfield ANGB, Md.
9. August 2013– August 2016, Director of Operations, 104th Fighter Squadron, Warfield ANGB, Md.
10. June 2016 – June 2018, Commander, 104th Fighter Squadron, Warfield ANGB, Md.
11. June 2018 – May 2019, Deputy Commander, 175th Operations Group, Warfield ANGB, Md.
12. May 2019 – Sept 2020, Director of Operations, JFHQ, Maryland Air National Guard, Warfield ANGB, Md.
13. Sept 2020 – October 2021, Commander, 175th Operations Group, Warfield ANGB, Md.
14. October 2021 – August 2022, Director of Operations, JFHQ, Maryland Air National Guard
15. August 2022 – Jan 2023, Chief of Staff, JFHQ, Maryland Air National Guard, Warfield ANGB, Md
17. Feb 2023 – Present, Commander, Maryland Air National Guard and Assistant Adjutant General - Air, Warfield ANGB, Md
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Rating: Command pilot
Flight hours: More than 4,900 including over 900 combat hours
Aircraft flown: T-37, T-38A, AT-38, British Hawk, OA-10, A-10A/A+, A-10C
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Bronze Star Medal
Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters
Air Medal with ten oak leaf clusters
Aerial Achievement Medal with three oak leaf clusters
Air and Space Commendation Medal with three oak leaf clusters
Air and Space Achievement Medal
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant May 27, 1998
First Lieutenant May 27, 2000
Captain May 27, 2002
Major January 1, 2008
Lieutenant Colonel June 28, 2012
Colonel July 31, 2019
Brigadier General September 27, 2022
(Current as of Dec 2025)