Pilot Trades in Colonel's Wings for a Star

Brig. Gen. Hinaman Heads DC Guard's Land Component

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Brig. Gen Hinaman recieves his wings from his wife, Judy, and sons Arthur III and Brian.

WASHINGTON, DC (04/08/2011)(readMedia)-- Brig. Gen. Arthur W. Hinaman was promoted to his current rank in a ceremony held at the District of Columbia National Guard Armory on April 1. Maj. Gen. Errol R. Schwartz, commanding general, District of Columbia National Guard, presided over the ceremony, which was attended by his fellow Capital Guardians, other military personnel, local political leaders and Hinaman's family and friends.

Hinaman has served as the DCNG Land Component Command since October 2009. In his current role, he is responsible for the overall readiness, training, maintenance, and operational employment of the units assigned and attached to the District of Columbia Army National Guard.

He will continue his focus on the Soldiers of the D.C. National Guard, which is dedicated to supporting the nation's Capital.

In a speech laced with humor and emotion, the newest general officer in the D.C. National Guard thanked the hundreds of military personnel who helped him throughout his career.

"You are truly the ones who have earned this rank and I will use it to make your lives better," Hinaman said.

Hinaman is a native of Williamsport, Penn., where his parents, David and Alice, still reside. He graduated from Williamsport Area High School, where he participated in the track and cross country. He commissioned in 1982 through the Reserve Officer Training Corps program at Penn State University. He currently resides in Leonardtown, Maryland, where is active in Boy Scout Troop No. 420 as an assistant scout master and merit badge counselor.

Previously, General Hinaman served in the District of Columbia National Guard as the Commander, 74th Troop Command; Chief of Staff, Army; Deputy Director of the Joint Staff; and State Army Aviation Officer. While deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, General Hinaman served as the Commander, Air Corps Advisory Group in Kabul, Afghanistan.

The general is an Army pilot with over 2,000 flight hours on aircraft such as the TH-55, UH-1 Huey, AH-1 Cobra and C-12. Awards and decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal with 1 Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster Army Achievement Medal with 3 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters, and Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal with 4 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters.