Philip G. Killey

Philip G. Killey

Major General Philip G. Killey
Born October 3, 1941
Monmouth, Illinois
Allegiance United States of America
Service/branch  United States Air Force
Years of service 1963-2003
Rank Major General
Unit Air National Guard
National Guard Bureau
South Dakota National Guard
Commands held 114th Tactical Fighter Group
Director, Air National Guard
Acting Chief of the National Guard Bureau
First Air Force
South Dakota National Guard
Battles/wars Vietnam War
Awards Distinguished Service Medal (Air Force)
Legion of Merit
Order of the Sword (United States)
Distinguished Flying Cross (United States)
Meritorious Service Medal
Air Medal
Air Force Commendation Medal
Army Commendation Medal
Other work Defense consultant

Philip G. Killey is a retired United States Air Force officer. He attained the rank of Major General, and served as Adjutant General of the South Dakota National Guard, Director of the Air National Guard and Commander of First Air Force.

Early life

Philp G. Killey was born in Monmouth, Illinois on October 1, 1941. He graduated from Monmouth High School in 1959, and received a Bachelor of Science degree in economics and mathematics from Monmouth College in 1963.[1][2]

Start of military career

Killey received his commission in 1963 through Air Force Officer Training School at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. Upon qualification as an F-4 pilot he was assigned to Eglin Air Force Base, Florida.[3]

During his career Killey attained the rating of command pilot and flew more than 6,500 hours. His list of military aircraft flown includes the T-37, T-38, F-4, F-100, A-7, F-16 and C-21.[4]

From May, 1967 to February, 1968 Killey flew 129 combat missions as an F-4 fighter pilot in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War, assigned to the 8th Tactical Fighter Wing at Ubon Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand.[5]

He left active duty in 1969 and joined the South Dakota Air National Guard in 1970. He held a variety of training, staff and command positions, including Deputy Commander of the 114th Tactical Fighter Group. In March, 1983 he became Commander of the Group.[6]

Later military career

In March, 1987 Killey was named Adjutant General of the South Dakota National Guard and promoted to Brigadier General. He served until November, 1988, whe he was appointed Director of the Air National Guard and promoted to Major Ganeral.[7]

National Guard Bureau

Killey served as Director of the Air National Guard until January, 1994, and was acting Chief of the National Guard Bureau from December, 1993 to January, 1994.

1st Air Force

In January, 1994 Killey was named Commander of First Air Force and Continental United States North American Aerospace Defense Command Region. He was the first National Guard officer to hold this position, and he served until January, 1998.[8]

Return to South Dakota

From January, 1998 until retiring in May, 2003 Killey served again as Adjutant General of South Dakota.[9]

Retirement

After retiring from the military Killey was a consultant on government, military and homeland security issues. He was also active in business, including a position on the advisory board of Previstar, Inc.[10]

Legacy

In 2009 the new First Air Force and Continental NORAD Region headquarters was dedicated as the Killey Center for Homeland Operations.[11]

Awards and decorations

Assignments

  1. November 1963 – February 1965, Student, pilot training, Reese Air Force Base, Texas
  2. August 1965 – May 1967, F-4 Pilot, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla.
  3. May 1967 – February 1968, Combat Fighter Pilot, 555th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Ubon Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand
  4. February 1968 – July 1969, F-4 Instructor Pilot, 68th Tactical Fighter Squadron, George Air Force Base, Calif.
  5. August 1970 – March 1973, Squadron Fighter Pilot, 114th Tactical Fighter Group, South Dakota Air National Guard, Sioux Falls, S.D.
  6. March 1973 – October 1974, Air Technician Flying Training Instructor, 114th Tactical Fighter Group, South Dakota Air National Guard, Sioux Falls, S.D.
  7. October 1974 – September 1978, Group Weapons Tactics Officer and Chief of Standardization and Evaluation, 114th Tactical Fighter Group, South Dakota Air National Guard, Sioux Falls, S.D.
  8. September 1978 – March 1983, Deputy Commander for Operations, 114th Tactical Fighter Group, South Dakota Air National Guard, Sioux Falls, S.D.
  9. March 1983 – March 1987, Commander, 114th Tactical Fighter Group, South Dakota Air National Guard, Sioux Falls, S.D.
  10. March 1987 – November 1988, Adjutant General, South Dakota National Guard, Rapid City, S.D.
  11. November 1988 – January 1994, Director, Air National Guard, Washington D.C.
  12. January 1994 – January 1998, Commander, 1st Air Force, Air Combat Command, and Continental United States North American Aerospace Defense Command Region, Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla.
  13. May 1998 – Feb 2003, Adjutant General, South Dakota National Guard, Rapid City, S.D.

Effective Dates of Promotions

See also

References

  1. U.S. House Appropriations Committee, Hearing Record, Department of Defense Appropriations for 1990, Biographical sketch, Philip G. Killey, 1989, page 396
  2. Justin Sims, Monmouth Review-Atlas, Retired Major General Says Growing Up In Monmouth Helped Develop Character, October 5, 2009
  3. Senator Tim Johnson, In Appreciation Of Major General Philip G. Killey, Extension of Remarks, Republished by Sunlight Foundation, February 26, 2003
  4. U.S. House Veterans Affairs Committee, Hearing Record, Oversight Hearing on the Montgomery GI Bill, Biographical sketch, Philip G. Killey, 1990, page 109
  5. National Guard Bureau, On Guard magazine, BG Philip G. Killey is Appointed Director, ANG, October, 1988, page 6A
  6. South Dakota State News, Guard Recognizes Killey for Lifelong Service, accessed May 16, 2003
  7. St. Louis Post-Dospatch, Illinois Native Gets Air Guard Position, September 18, 1988
  8. Leslie Filson, Sovereign Skies: Air National Guard Takes Command of 1st Air Force, 1999, page 23
  9. South Dakota National Guard Public Affairs, SDNG Adjutant General Announces Retirement, February 18, 2003
  10. Business Wire, Major General Philip G. Killey (ret.) Joins Previstar Advisory Board, April 17, 2007
  11. Dan Broadstreet, WJHG-TV, Headquarters Building for Continental U.S. NORAD Command Region to be Dedicated, March 12, 2009

External links

Military offices
Preceded by
Maj Gen John B. Conaway
Director of the United States Air National Guard
November 1988 - January 1994
Succeeded by
Maj Gen Donald Shepperd
Preceded by
Lieut. Gen. John B. Conaway
Chief of the National Guard Bureau (Acting)
December 1993 - January 1994
Succeeded by
LTG Raymond F. Rees