Lieutenant General Daniel R. Hokanson is the Deputy Commander, U.S. Northern Command, and Vice Commander, U.S. Element, North American Aerospace Defense Command at Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado. As Deputy Commander, General Hokanson helps lead U.S. Northern Command in anticipating, preparing and responding to threats against North America and within Northern Command’s assigned area of responsibility; and provides oversight of U.S. Northern Command’s Defense Support to Civil Authorities.
General Hokanson graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1986 and served in Air Cavalry, Attack Helicopter and Aircraft Test organizations prior to joining the Oregon National Guard. He has commanded at the company, battalion and brigade combat team levels. His combat deployments include Operations JUST CAUSE, ENDURING FREEDOM and IRAQI FREEDOM. He commanded the 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team in Iraq and served as Chief of Staff for Combined Joint Task Force Phoenix in Afghanistan. His staff service includes Deputy Director, Plans, Policy and Strategy (J5), NORAD and USNORTHCOM; and Director, Strategic Plans and Policy (J5), National Guard Bureau.
Prior to his current duties, General Hokanson served as The Adjutant General of Oregon where he was responsible for providing the State of Oregon and the United States with a ready force of Citizen-Soldiers and Airmen, equipped and trained to respond to any contingency. His responsibilities also included Oregon’s Office of Emergency Management and the Governor's Homeland Security Advisor.
General Hokanson holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering (Aerospace), Master’s Degrees in International Security and Civil-Military Relations and National Security and Strategic Studies, and he was a National Security Fellow at Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government.
A command pilot with over 2,600 hours in the AH-64, OH-58 and UH-60, he was also a member of the United States World Helicopter Team. His awards and decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Soldiers Medal, Bronze Star, Combat Action Badge, Master Army Aviator Badge, the Orders of Saint Michael and Saint Maurice and multiple Sikorsky Lifesaving Awards.