Jennings native promoted to rank of Brigadier General

A former Jennings resident has recently been promoted to Brigadier General with the U.S. Air Force, a prestigious accomplishment that very few have the opportunity to achieve.

BG Elizabeth Arledge was born to Carroll and Margaret Arledge.

Arledge graduated from Jennings High School in 1983. She attended college at McNeese State University and received a bachelor of science in education in 1987. Arledge received her commission through Officer Training School at the Lackland Air Force Base (AFB) in Texas in 1992.

Arledge spent six years on active duty working with nuclear weapons, conventional munitions and special operations aircraft before joining the Air Force Reserves in 1998.

Arledge also has a masters from the University of Oklahoma and is currently in the doctoral program for public administration and policy at Virginia Tech.

Arledge’s promotion from colonel to brigadier general became effective on Wednesday, Dec. 12.

Arledge was previously assigned to the Nuclear Weapons, Missiles and Munitions Division, Directorate of Logistics, Deputy Chief of Staff for Logistics, Engineering and Force Protection.

From October 2014 until June 2015, Arledge performed temporary duty as the 20th Air Force, Director of Logistics and Communication at Frances E. Warren AFB in Wyoming where she implemented policy and guidance for the generation and sustainment of the nation’s Intercontinental Ballistic Missile Force.

She has been a squadron commander and acting Group Commander and has worked on the Joint Staff, Headquarters Air Force Staff, Major Command staffs and Numbered Air Force Staffs.

Arledge has recently earned her first star to become Brigadier General, an accomplishment that approximately only 50-60 reservists out of nearly 70,000 airmen have the opportunity to experience, according to Alredge.

“I am unbelievably grateful and I can’t believe that I was able to have the opportunities to do the things I’ve done in my career,” said Arledge.

Arledge said that when working for the military, there are certain ranks many are promoted to.

“Most people make it to colonel or lieutenant colonel,” said Arledge. “Being promoted to general officer, brigadier general, is a significant step in a military career.”

Arledge said that although she did work very hard to get to where she is today, she still gives credit to those who have helped her throughout her journey.

“I’ve been really lucky that so many people steered me in the right direction to good jobs and opportunities,” said Arledge. “I have been working at the Pentagon for the last nine years. It is a great place to be. I work with many smart, intelligent people.”

She is the Mobilization Assistant to the Deputy Chief of Staff for Strategic Deterrents and Nuclear Integration, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C. Arledge said she provides guidance and advocacy for the U.S. Air Force’s nuclear enterprise and countering weapons of mass destruction mission.

“I am very appreciative of my recent promotion and excited,” said Arledge. “I have been fortunate to have wonderful mentors in my career and to have had amazing Airmen to work with over the years who taught me so much.”

Arledge said she enjoys working at the Pentagon. She said she sees amazing things every day and that it is exciting to be on the cutting edge of major events the country is facing.

“Not everyone can say they go to work at the Pentagon every day,” said Arledge. “It is very impactful and interesting.”

Major awards and decorations she received include Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Air Force Meritorious Service Medal with five oak leaf clusters, Joint Service Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal with ‘N’ device and Armed Forces Reserve Medal.

Arledge now resides with her partner, Dr. Mary Landon, in Fairfax, Vir.

Arledge said that when she is not at work or in school, she enjoys running and CrossFit. She is a photographer as well.