Air Force generals honored at ribbon-cutting ceremony

  • Published
  • Air Force Northern Public Affairs office
TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  More than 200 visiting dignitaries, guests and base personnel witnessed today's ceremony that honored two retired Air National Guard generals, which also marked the official opening of a new headquarters complex at Continental U.S. NORAD Region - 1st Air Force (Air Forces Northern) headquarters.

The much-anticipated memorialization and dedication ceremony honored retired Maj. Gen. Phillip Killey by designating the new headquarters complex the Killey Center for Homeland Operations. The event also paid tribute to retired Maj. Gen. Larry Arnold by naming an access road to the complex after him―L.K. Arnold Way.

General Killey was CONR-1st AF commander from 1994-1998, and General Arnold was commander from 1998-2002.

The audience listened intently as the former leaders were lauded for their many contributions to 1st Air Force during their command years.

Gen. Hank Morrow, current CONR-1st AF commander, called the event, "a signal occasion" for the U.S. Air Force, NORAD-NORTHCOM, the Air National Guard and 1st Air Force. "We are here to honor the achievements and to memorialize the accomplishments of two great general officers, both retired, but still extremely active in serving their country," he said.

Among other things, General Morrow related how General Killey was the first Air National Guard officer to lead an Air Combat Command Numbered Air Force in a federal mission. "He transformed 1st Air Force into a total force organization."

The commander also described how General Arnold rescued 1st Air Force from almost certain closure in 1998 and led the organization through the challenges of Sept. 11, 2001.

"It is a historic day for CONR and 1st Air Force, and I am extremely proud to have had the opportunity to recognize two great leaders in our organization's legacy for decades to come," said General Morrow. "We owe a debt of gratitude to General Killey and General Arnold, and this tribute was just a small way to ensure that debt is paid in full."

Both retired generals expressed sincere appreciation for the honors that were bestowed upon them and reminisced briefly about their years as 1st Air Force commanders.

General Killey said he was extremely touched when he learned the new building was to be dedicated to him. "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."

He also commented on his tenure as commander, leading the transformation of 1st Air Force from an active duty organization to a guard-led organization 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."
General Arnold also stated he was honored and humbled that 1st Air Force has named the new L.K. Arnold Way after him. "I am proud, also, to see that the new building is being dedicated to General Killey," he said.

Commenting on Sept. 11, 2001, when he was serving as 1st Air Force commander, General Arnold said he is extremely proud of the men and women who served under him at that time, noting their willingness to work long and difficult hours both that day and in the weeks and months afterward to respond to the crisis.

"We had tremendous responsibility on our shoulders, but our people responded rapidly," he said. "First Air Force has done a lot of things since then to be ready for this type of event. Our country is now very well prepared compared to the day before 9/11."

Other distinguished visitors attending the ceremony were Gen. Craig R. McKinley, chief, National Guard Bureau; Lt. Gen. J.J.C. (Charlie) Bouchard, deputy commander of NORAD; retired Gen Ed Eberhart, NORTHCOM's first commander; and Congressman F. Allen Boyd, who represents Florida's Second Congressional District.

In his remarks, General McKinley congratulated the two former commanders, and referred to them as, "mentors, leaders and friends" of all young officers today.

Speaking on behalf of NORAD-U.S NORTHCOM commander Gen. Victor E. Renuart, who was unable to attend the ceremony, General Bouchard said the event was a great tribute to both former commanders who served their country with gallantry.

Congressman Boyd, who told the audience that the new 1st Air Force headquarters complex is a, "good example of your tax dollars at work," also said he was proud, as a former infantryman during Vietnam, to take part in honoring both General Killey and General Arnold.

He also said that Tyndall Air Force base is an "integral part" of the Panama City community. "The missions that are performed here are critical to our nation's air superiority," he said.

During the ceremony a ribbon was cut, officially marking the opening of the new, three-phase headquarters complex, two phases of which have been completed. Groundbreaking for the third and final phase occurred earlier this year and is scheduled to be completed in 2010.

Later visitors were invited to take a tour of the complex, which features state-of-the-art blade computer technology that offers centralized control of PCs; lights that dim automatically, depending on the amount of available natural light; and other modern features.