Former Brainerd man assigned to Joint Staff in Pentagon
Works in the Pentagon
Bruce Carlson, the son of Cliff and Helen Carlson and a 1967 graduate of the former Washington High School in Brainerd, was recently promoted to lieutenant general in the Air Force and assigned to the Joint Staff in the Pentagon as director for Force Structure, Resources and Assessment.
Carlson started his assignment Jan. 3. At the Pentagon ceremony, he was awarded the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal for meritorious service in two previous Pentagon assignments.
Before being assigned to the Pentagon, Carlson served as the commander of the 49th Fighter Wing at Holloman Air Force Base, N.M., and the USAF's F-117, stealth fighter wing. He arrived at the Pentagon in August 1996 as mission area director of Global Power Programs in the Office of Assistant Secretary of the Air Force of Acquisition. He also served as director of operational requirements, deputy chief of staff for Air and Space Operations at Headquarters, U.S. Air Force.
Carlson's wife, Vicki (Martens) Carlson, also graduated from high school in Brainerd. They have three children, Bryan, Jani and Scott.