Tyndall Reserve Officer named ACC's outstanding Reserve judge advocate for 2007 Published April 10, 2008 By Capt. Laura Ropelis AFNORTH Public Affairs TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- First Air Force announced Tuesday that the lead Air Operations Center judge advocate officer here was named Outstanding Reserve Judge Advocate for 2007 by Air Combat Command for superior performance. Lt. Col. Michael E. Guillory was nominated for his exceptional leadership as Staff Judge Advocate while performing state and national duties above and beyond his assigned duties for the 601st Air Operations Center here since November 2006. Commanded by Col. David E. Kriner, the 601st AOC is a Florida Air National Guard unit reporting to 1st Air Force under Air Combat Command. "This award recognizes the unmatched contributions Lt. Col. Guillory makes to the AOC, North American Aerospace Defense Command, and the State of Florida on a daily basis," said Maj. Gen. Henry "Hank" Morrow, commander of 1st Air Force (AFNORTH). "Col. Guillory is an expert on legal issues in air sovereignty and air defense of the continental U.S. and has a wealth of knowledge that is unique and specialized. He coordinates a myriad of different programs so they function in legal compliance and work seamlessly together," said Brig. Gen. Steven Westgate, vice commander of 1st Air Force. Guillory wears multiple hats as the Florida Air National Guard State Headquarters judge advocate, The Air National Guard judge advocate for Total Force Integration on the National Council Committee, and the principal judge advocate for the Air Operations Center. Guillory has trained 18 JAG officers and four paralegals on operational law and integrated them into the AOC. "The operational mission is fantastic for a JAG. It is complicated and challenging, but it is also the most exciting role a JAG can have to provide legal counsel to aid in the protection of the U.S. domestically," said Guillory. "Col. Guillory set up the legal infrastructure here in the AOC to effectively deal with national incidents," said Capt. Jeffery Coats, a Washington Air National Guard officer who is one of three judge advocate officers supervised by Guillory. Through his efforts, Guillory also unified 19 Air National Guard legal offices here into a cohesive team supporting Operation Noble Eagle. "Col. Guillory is an excellent leader working with a diverse group, Reservists, Guardsmen deployed personnel, active duty, government civilians and contractors, making them all feel important and valued," said Coats. "His exceptional performance stood out among all other nominees," said 1st Air Force Staff Judge Advocate Col. Kimmelman, "he gives cutting edge legal advice allowing for rapid integration of the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center into Combined Air Operations Center here executing approximately 7322 total incidents, 2296 rescue missions resulting in 468 lives saved in 2007." He has served as counsel on 22 courts, boards and actions. He is considered by many here as a "master" JAG. Guillory provides legal consult for local, state and national leaders on air defense of the U.S. and is the primary legal consult o joint force commanders, and combat operations chiefs in the AOC. In Hurricane Katrina, Guillory was the head of legal operations. Guillory has a Bachelors degree from Louisiana State University and a Juris Doctor degree from Tulane University School of Law with a focus on International and Admiralty law. The mission of the 601st AOC is to manage air assets for homeland defense and homeland security. First Air Force is assigned to Air Combat Command and has the responsibility of ensuring air defense of the continental U.S. As the CONUS geographical component of the bi-national North American Aerospace Defense Command, it provides airspace surveillance and control and directs all air sovereignty activities for the continental U.S.