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Today in History – April 5, 1962 – 1962 Neil Armstrong takes X-15 to 54,600m

Neil Armstrong and the X-15 by Bob van der Linden, Posted on Tue, July 23, 2019, Aeronautics Department, Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum “Released from duty in mid-1952, Armstrong returned to Purdue where he earned his degree in aeronautical engineering in 1955. His love of flight and engineering drew him to the National Advisory

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Killey, Philip G.

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  • Killey, Philip G.

Philip G. Killey

Preferred Name: Phil
Date of Birth: October 3, 1941
Highest Military Grade: 0-8 – Major General
Hometown: Monmouth, IL
Biography
Pilot Information
Album
Video

If you asked Maj. Gen. Philip Killey, what attributes are important for a military career he’d probably say, comraderie, determination, discipline and an ability to both win and lose with dignity. He credits his upbringing by parents who valued hard work and discipline and his hometown of Monmouth, IL for teaching him the values of honesty and integrity, essential traits for s lifetime of service to his country.

In an interview in 2009 with Justin Sims from Monmouth’s Daily Review Atlas, General Killey talked about the appeal of a military life.“We literally depended on a bond of trust…We learned to be honest and forthright… It was an opportunity to protect the Constitution, and I still feel a pride in that which hasn’t diminished today”.

General Killey was the first Air National Guard officer to lead an Air Combat Command Numbered Air Force in a federal mission. At the opening of the Killey Center for Homeland Operations in 2009, General Hank Morrow said of Killey, “He transformed 1st Air Force into a total force organization…. We owe a debt of gratitude to General Killey…, and this tribute was just a small way to ensure that debt is paid in full.”

When Phil learned the new building was to be dedicated to him he said he was deeply touched. “When General Morrow told me about this over the phone, I couldn’t even speak for five minutes,” he said. “Now, when I see my name on this building, I am deeply honored and humbled.”

The transformation of the 1st Air Force from an active duty organization to a guard-led organization occurred under his command in the mid-to-late 1990s. “I was there at the beginning and believed it was a good idea, that it made sense,” he said. “It was a major challenge, but we made it happen on time and under cost. Today, no one does their job more professionally than 1st Air Force.”  (Source: Air Combat Command article “Killey, Arnold recognized at Dedication Ceremony, March 13, 2009)

Major General Phil Killey retired in 2003 with more than 6.500 flying hours.

Units Assigned

  • 1965-1967 F-4 Pilot, Eglin AFB, FL (F-4)
  • 1967-1968 555th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Ubon Royal Thai AFB, Thailand
  • 1968-1969 IP, 68th Tactical Fighter Squadron, George AFB, CA (, F-4 Instructor Pilot)
  • 1970-1973 114th Tactical Fighter Group, South Dakota Air National Guard, Sioux Falls, SD
  • 1973-1974 114th Tactical Fighter Group, Air Technician Flying Training Instructor, South Dakota Air National Guard, Sioux Falls, SD
  • 1974-1978 114th Tactical Fighter Group, Group Weapons Tactics Officer and Chief of Standardization and Evaluation, South Dakota Air National Guard, Sioux Falls, SD
  • 1978-1983 114th Tactical Fighter Group, Deputy Commander for Operations, South Dakota Air National Guard, Sioux Falls, SD
  • 1983-1987 114th Tactical Fighter Group, Commander, South Dakota Air National Guard, Sioux Falls, SD
  • 1987-1988 Adjutant General, South Dakota National Guard, Rapid City, SD
  • 1988-1994 Director, Air National Guard, Washington D.C.
  • 1994-1998 Commander, 1st Air Force, Air Combat Command, and Continental United States North American Aerospace Defense Command Region, Tyndall AFB, FL
  • 1998-2003 Adjutant General, South Dakota National Guard, Rapid City, SD
  • 2003 Retired USAF

Awards & Decorations

Distinguished Service Medal
Distinguished Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster
Legion Of Merit
Legion of Merit with Oak Leaf Cluster
Distinguished Flying Cross
Distinguished Flying Cross
Meritorious Service Award
Meritorious Service Medal
Air Medal
Air Medal with 12 Oak Leaf Clusters
Air Force Commendation Medal
Air Force Commendation Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster
Army Commendation Medal
Army Commendation Medal
Presidential Unit Citation
Presidential Unit Citation
AF Outstanding Unit Award
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters
Combat Readiness Medal
Combat Readiness Medal with 4 Oak Leaf Clusters
National Defense Service Medal
National Defense Service Medal with Service Star
Vietnam Service Medal
Vietnam Service Medal with Service Star
Air Force Overseas Ribbon Short Tour
Air Force Overseas Ribbon – Short Tour
Air Force Longevity Service Award (AFLSA)
Air Force Longevity Service Award Ribbon with 7 Oak Leaf Clusters
Armed Forces Reserve Medal (AFResM)
Armed Forces Reserve Medal with Hourglass Device
Small Arms Marksmanship Ribbon (SAEMR)
Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon
Air Force Training Ribbon (AFTR)
Air Force Training Ribbon
RVN Gallantry Cross With Palm
Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm
Vietnam Campaign Medal
Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal
SDANG Distinuguished Service Medal
South Dakota Distinguished Service Award
SD National Guard Distinguished Unit Award
South Dakota Distinguished Unit Award
SD National Guard Service Medal
South Dakota National Guard Service Award with 2 Oak Leaf Clusterss)
1993 Awarded the Order of the Sword (United States)

Flight Info

A-7
C-21
F-4
F-16
F-100
T-37
T-38

Rating: Command pilot
Flight hours: More than 6,500

Military & Civilian Education

Military Education:

  • 1963-1965 Pilot training, Reese AFB, TX
  • 1974 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell Air Force Base, AL
  • 1984 National Security Management Course

Civilian Education:

  • 1963 BS/Economics & Mathematics , Monmouth College, IL

Killey Phil At Podium 400x400
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