La. National Guard pins top Air Guard general officer

NEW ORLEANS – The Louisiana National Guard held a promotion ceremony for its La. Air National Guard (LAANG) top leader at the Jackson Barracks Museum in New Orleans, May 4.

 

Col. Charles Chappuis, the LANG’s assistant adjutant general-Air, was formally promoted to the rank of brigadier general and “pinned” the one-star insignia on his uniform by Maj. Gen. Glenn H. Curtis, adjutant general of the LANG.

 

In his remarks to the audience, Curtis called special attention to Chappuis’ service to the citizens of Louisiana during Hurricane Katrina and to the war fighters he helped as a medical officer during four war-time deployments.

 

“I saw the true character of the man in places like Katrina when we arrived at the Superdome … lots of chaos and uncertainty. Charlie [Chappuis] led the medical team that took care of our citizens … numbers that eventually swelled to 30 or 40,000. Charlie managed through that chaos and took care of our citizens, Soldiers and Airmen. He got them out of harm’s way and kept moving forward,” Curtis said.

 

After his pinning, Chappuis thanked Curtis for placing his trust and confidence in him in this new responsibility. He also thanked Curtis for the privilege of serving the LANG as state surgeon for the past five years in a position typically held by an Army medical officer.

 

“It’s been an incredible opportunity, especially for me as an Air Force guy in a traditional Army position. In fact, I was the only Air Force state surgeon among the 54 states and territories … a tremendous learning experience as the senior medical officer for the Louisiana National Guard,” Chappuis said.

 

Chappuis’ new role entails the responsibility for the formulation of policy pertaining to administration and training of more than 1,500 La. Air Guardsmen and initiates plans and directives throughout all LAANG units. He will also serve as principle advisor to Maj. Gen. Glenn H. Curtis, adjutant general of the LANG, on matters pertaining to the LAANG.

 

Chappuis holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Louisiana State University and a Doctorate of Medicine from Louisiana State University School of Medicine.

 

Chappuis received a direct commission in the Louisiana Air National Guard in 1998 serving as Flight Surgeon in the 159th Medical Squadron. He has served as Chief of Clinical Services, Commander of the 159th Medical Group, and most recently as the State Surgeon, LANG.

 

Chappuis served four tours in support of Operation Iraqi and Enduring Freedom, led the 159th Medical Group in the relief effort at the Louisiana Superdome following Hurricane Katrina, and served as Medical Commander in Belle Chasse caring for all military forces stationed in the area following Hurricane Katrina.

 

Residing in Lafayette, La., Chappuis is married to the former Cynthia Glass of New Orleans and is the father of two daughters: Courtney and Catherine.