California State Guard Commanding General
Brigadier General (CA) Robert A. Spano currently serves as the Commander of the California State Guard.
BG (CA) Spano was born in San Francisco, California on August 13, 1964. He attended public schools in Burlingame, California and graduated from Mills High School in June 1982. He received his commission through the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps 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. His other assignments include: Fire Direction Control Officer, 1-143rd Field Artillery and Fire Support Team Chief, 1-143rd Field Artillery.
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 aviation assignments include: Operations Officer, 126th Medical Company (Air Ambulance), Aeromedical Evacuation Staff Officer, 175th Medical Brigade, Production Control Officer 1106th Aviation Classification and Repair Depot, S-4 40th Aviation Brigade, Commander 126th Medical Company (Air Ambulance), Executive Officer 40th Aviation Brigade, Battalion Commander 3-140th Aviation Battalion and Brigade Commander 1106th Theatre Aviation Sustainment Maintenance Brigade.
BG (CA) Spano has participated in a multitude of State emergencies, including fires, floods, earthquakes and riots since he returned from flight school in December 1991. In March 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 June 2007.
BG (CA) Spano’s civilian and military education include: Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil/Structural Engineering from Cogswell Polytechnical College and a Masters in Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army War College. Command and General Staff College, Combined Arms Services Staff School, Functional Area 90 Multifunctional Combat Service Support School, Medical Service Corps Officer Advance Course, Aviation Officer Advance Course, Medical Service Corps Officer Basic Course, Initial Entry Rotary Wing Flight School, and the Air Force Joint Firepower Control Course (Joint Air Operations Officer 5U). He is a rated pilot in the HH-60 and UH-60 Blackhawk as well as the UH-1 Huey. He also holds a commercial instrument rating in fixed wing aircraft. He is a Joint Qualified Officer.
BG (CA) Spano’s military awards and decorations include: Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Senior Army Aviator Badge, Army Commendation Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal and other various awards.