Chattanooga, TN – According to the state officials, Tennessee’s Adjutant General, Maj. Gen. Warner Ross, announced that Knoxville native Col. Martin Hartley has been selected as the Tennessee Military Department’s Assistant Adjutant General, Air.
The announcement, made on behalf of Governor Bill Lee, marks a significant appointment in Tennessee’s military leadership.
Col. Hartley, who has served as the commander of Knoxville’s 134th Air Refueling Wing since 2018, will assume his new role in August. Hartley began his distinguished military career in 1991 after graduating from the United States Air Force Academy. Following his graduation, he served on active duty as an Instructor Pilot at various duty stations.
In 1997, Hartley joined the Tennessee Air National Guard and the 134th Air Refueling Wing at McGhee Tyson Air National Guard Base as a KC-135E pilot. Over the years, he has held numerous positions within the Wing, including Maintenance Squadron Commander, Maintenance Group Deputy Commander, 151st Air Refueling Squadron Commander, and Vice Wing Commander, before taking command of the Wing.
Throughout his career, Hartley has been deployed multiple times to Europe, Southwest Asia, and the Pacific. He has flown aerial refueling missions and over 60 combat missions in support of Operations Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom, Freedom Sentinel, and Inherent Resolve.
Col. Hartley will succeed Col. Jason Glass, who will retire from the Tennessee National Guard after serving as the Assistant Adjutant General, Air, since 2018. Col. Glass concludes his military service with over 36 years of dedicated service.
This transition marks a new chapter for the Tennessee Military Department, with Col. Hartley bringing extensive experience and leadership to his new role.