Philip G. Killey

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 Mounmouth High School in 1959, and received a Bachelor of Science degree in economics and mathematics from Monmouth College in 1963.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Return to South Dakota
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.

Legacy
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 ribbon.svg   Distinguished Service Medal (Air Force) with oak leaf cluster
 * Legion of Merit ribbon.svg   Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster
 * Distinguished Flying Cross ribbon.svg   Distinguished Flying Cross (United States)
 * Meritorious Service ribbon.svg   Meritorious Service Medal
 * Air Medal ribbon.svg   Air Medal with 12 oak leaf clusters
 * Air Force Commendation ribbon.svg   Air Force Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster
 * Army Commendation Medal ribbon.svg   Army Commendation Medal
 * Presidential Unit Citation ribbon.svg   Presidential Unit Citation (United States)
 * Outstanding Unit ribbon.svg   Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with three oak leaf clusters
 * Combat Readiness Medal ribbon.svg   Combat Readiness Medal with four oak leaf clusters
 * National Defense Service Medal ribbon.svg   National Defense Service Medal with service star
 * Vietnam Service Ribbon.svg   Vietnam Service Medal with service star
 * Air Force Overseas Short Tour Service Ribbon.svg   Air Force Overseas Ribbon-Short
 * Air Force Longevity Service ribbon.svg   Air Force Longevity Service Award Ribbon with seven oak leaf clusters
 * AFRM with Hourglass Device.jpg   Armed Forces Reserve Medal with hourglass device
 * USAF Marksmanship ribbon.svg   Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon
 * Air Force Training Ribbon.svg   Air Force Training Ribbon
 * Vietnam gallantry cross-3d.svg   Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation
 * Vietnam Campaign Medal Ribbon.png   Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal
 * SDNG Distinguished Service Award.png   South Dakota Distinguished Service Award
 * SD NG Distinguished Unit Award.png   South Dakota Distinguished Unit Award
 * OK Distinguished Service Cross.png   South Dakota National Guard Service Award with two oak leaf clusters
 * 1993 Awarded the Order of the Sword (United States)

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

 * Second Lieutenant, November 5, 1963
 * First Lieutenant, November 5, 1965
 * Captain, May 5, 1967
 * Major, April 1, 1974
 * Lieutenant Colonel, October 6, 1978
 * Colonel, December 22, 1983
 * Brigadier General, February 2, 1988
 * Major General, April 19, 1989