Brigadier General Miguel Castellanos has served as deputy director for operations, J3 for U.S. Africa Command, since October 4, 2019. He received a Regular Army Commission as an infantry officer in 1987. Castellanos has deployed in support of Operations Desert Shield, Desert Storm, and Restore Hope, and the U.N. Operation in Somalia II. Most recently, he was the deputy commanding general for Combined Joint Task Force Horn of Africa in Somalia. As the senior U.S. military officer, Castellanos advised on all Department of Defense efforts related to defeating al-Shabab, training the Somali national army, and implementing Security Force Assistance. He led efforts in Strand 2a (Defense) of the Comprehensive Approach to Security to coordinate unity of effort with key leaders of the federal government of Somalia, the African Union, the United Nations, troop contributing countries, and senior political and military leaders from partner countries. His military education includes the Command General Staff College and a master’s degree from the Army War College.