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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
In March 1987 Killey was named Adjutant General of the South Dakota National Guard and promoted to brigadier general. He served until November 1988, when he was appointed Director of the Air National Guard and promoted to major general.
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. 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.
From January 1998 until retiring in May 2003, Killey served again as Adjutant General of South Dakota.
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.
In 2009 the new First Air Force and Continental NORAD Region headquarters was dedicated as the Killey Center for Homeland Operations.
Awards and decorations
- Air Force Distinguished Service Medal with oak leaf cluster
- Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster
- Distinguished Flying Cross
- Meritorious Service Medal
- Air Medal with 12 oak leaf clusters
- Air Force Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster
- Army Commendation Medal
- Presidential Unit Citation (United States)
- Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with three oak leaf clusters
- Combat Readiness Medal with four oak leaf clusters
- National Defense Service Medal with service star
- Vietnam Service Medal with service star
- Air Force Overseas Ribbon-Short
- Air Force Longevity Service Award Ribbon with seven oak leaf clusters
- Armed Forces Reserve Medal with hourglass device
- Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon
- Air Force Training Ribbon
- Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation
- Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal
- South Dakota Distinguished Service Award
- South Dakota Distinguished Unit Award
- South Dakota National Guard Service Award with two oak leaf clusters
- 1993 Awarded the Order of the Sword (United States)
Assignments
References
External links
- Maj Gen Killey National Guard Biography
