TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. - A new headquarters complex here at Continental U.S. NORAD Region - 1st Air Force (Air Forces Northern) headquarters was officially opened March 13 in honor of two former commanders.
The dedication honored retired Air Force Maj. Gen. Phillip Killey by designating the new headquarters complex the Killey Center for Homeland Operations. The event also paid tribute to retired Air Force 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.
"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," said Air Force Gen. Hank Morrow, current CONR-1st AF commander,.
Among other things, Morrow related how 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," he said.
The commander also described how 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 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.
Killey said he was honored by the dedication. "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."
Commenting on Sept. 11, 2001, when he was serving as 1st Air Force commander, 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, Bouchard said the event was a great tribute to both former commanders who served their country with gallantry.
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.
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.