Marc Sasseville

Marc H. Sasseville, a retired United States Air Force lieutenant general, has a long and storied career serving his nation. His track record includes tenure as the 12th Vice Chief of the National Guard Bureau and the commander of the Continental United States North American Aerospace Defense Command Region. He also had the responsibility of commanding the First Air Force (Air Forces Northern) from June 2019 to August 2020. His educational background includes a Bachelor of Science degree in International Affairs from the United States Air Force Academy, which laid the groundwork for his military career.

One of Sasseville's notable assignments was serving as commander of the 113th Wing, District of Columbia Air National Guard at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland. In this role, he made history as the first Hispanic American to hold the position. An important part of his career unfolded on September 11, 2001, when Sasseville, serving as the acting operations group commander under the 113th Wing of the D.C. Air National Guard, was assigned the mission of locating and destroying United Airlines Flight 93 during the September 11 attacks. This mission was to be completed even if it required ramming the aircraft, showcasing his commitment and bravery.

Sasseville's international experience includes serving as the Senior Defense Official/Defense Attache in Turkey for the United States European Command and operational assignments in Spain, Japan, and Nevada. His career also includes overseeing the National Guard Bureau's participation in planning, programming, budgeting, and execution processes. Sasseville's tenure as commander of the 410th Expeditionary Operations Support Squadron during Operation Iraqi Freedom and his subsequent promotion to brigadier general, where he commanded the 113th Wing of the District of Columbia Air National Guard, underscores his leadership skills. His experiences and accomplishments were highlighted in the National Geographic Channel documentary "Inside 9/11: Zero Hour."