Colonel Robert J. Becklund graduated from West Fargo High School in 1979. Following graduation Colonel Becklund attended NDSU where he enlisted in the North Dakota Air National Guard in 1982 prior to selection for commissioning and pilot training. In 1983 he graduated from NDSU with a Bachelor of Science degree in Electronic and Electrical Engineering. Colonel Becklund has held a broad range of positions at both the wing and state levels. Notable achievements include Distinguished Graduate honors from USAF Basic Military Training, the ANG Academy of Military Science and USAF Undergraduate Pilot Training graduating first in his class. Colonel Robert J. Becklund is the Chief of Staff for Air, Joint Force Headquarters, North Dakota National Guard, following an assignment as Commander, 119th Wing, North Dakota Air National Guard. Additionally, Colonel Becklund has recently returned from an assignment with the USAF Remotely Piloted Aircraft Task Force at the Pentagon, Washington, DC where he served as their Chief of Current Capabilities.

Col. Becklund flew in two USAF William Tell weapons competitions earning first place honors in 1994. As the 119th Fighter Wing commander he oversaw the extremely successful and unprecedented realignment of the unit from its F-16 mission into three entirely new missions: the MQ-1Predator Remotely Piloted Aircraft, C-21 Operational Support Airlift and an active- associate Security Forces Squadron at Minot AFB. In his civilian capacity he serves as the Director of North Dakota’s Northern Plains Unmanned Aircraft Test Site. He is married with

three grown sons.