Office of The Adjutant General Maryland National Guard
Brigadier General Craig M. Hunter
BG Hunter was commissioned in 2002 via the Army Officer Candidate School and is Aviation branch qualified. His principal assignments include CounterDrug Aviation Detachment Commander, Aviation Security & Support Company Commander, Aeromedical Evacuation Company Commander, Intelligence Operations Officer, CounterDrug Task Force Commander, Aviation Battalion S3, Joint Director of Military Support/Deputy J3, State Army Aviation Officer, DCARNG G-3/5/7, Commander, 260th Regiment and DCARNG Chief of Staff. BG Hunter assumed the duties as the Deputy Commander of the Joint Special Operations Aviation Component in December 2017. He was responsible for ensuring the Brigade’s organization, administration, training, readiness, and daily combat operations of the headquarters staff and subordinate units supporting Operations Inherent Resolve and the defeat of ISIS. In February 2019 he was assigned to the Pentagon within the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff directed Integrated Operations Division, where he focused on facilitating the Joint Staff's ability to understand, visualize, describe and defining the problem within the strategic environment. BG Hunter assumed command of JTF-Guardian in January 2021. When the security situation at the U.S. Capitol deteriorated, he decisively moved to the U.S. Capitol Grounds as the Capitol was being breached. He established mission command at the U.S. Capitol Police Command Post and provided the SecArmy and DCNG leadership with real-time reports on the situation at the Capitol Building, then coordinated the deployment and commanded the employment of the National Guard response supporting law enforcement partners in securing the Capitol. He led a multi-state organization responsible for securing the U.S. Capitol Complex, Federal Monuments, U.S. Naval Observatory, and White House Ellipse. BG Hunter now serves as the Special Assistant for Strategic Initiatives, Maryland Army National Guard, where he is the direct advisor to the Adjutant General on organizational analysis, program implementation, research, and conflict resolution.
BG Hunter was educated at Edward Waters University (BBA), Liberty University (MBA) and the National Defense University (MA). He completed the National Security Leadership Program at George Washington University and Leadership in Homeland Security Program at Harvard University. He is a Joint Qualified Officer, a graduate of the Dual Status Commanders Course,JointTask Force Commanders Course and is an Honor Graduate of the U.S. Army’s Initial Entry Rotary Wing Flight School.
BG Hunter’s military awards include; Legion of Merit Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal; Meritorious Service Medal; Air Medal; Joint Service Commendation Medal; Army Commendation Medal; Air Force Commendation Medal-3 Bronze Oak Leaf Devices; Navy & Marine Corps Achievement Medal; Navy Good Conduct Medal; Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal; National Defense Medal – Bronze Star Device; Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal; Iraq Campaign Medal; Global War On Terrorism Service Medal; Korea Defense Service Medal; Navy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon; Armed Forces Reserve Medal- Mobilization Device; Army Service Ribbon; Army Overseas Service Ribbon; Army Superior Unit Award;Joint Meritorious Unit Commendation; Army Meritorious Unit Commendation; Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation Medal; Naval Aircrewman Badge; Army Master Aviator Badge; Combat Action Badge; Office of the Secretary of Health & Human Services Badge.
Flight Hours: 2,449
Combat Hours: 463
Aircraft Qualifications: TH-67, OH-58A/C, AH-64A, UH-60A/L, UH-72A
