Brigadier General George J. Cannelos is the assistant adjutant general who also serves as the commander of the Alaska Air National Guard. He is responsible for all Alaska Air Guard operations, programs and activities, including the primary flying missions of air refueling, combat rescue and airlift.
He was commissioned in the U.S. Navy in 1969 and flew as a naval flight officer in the RA-5C 'Vigilante'. Brig Gen Cannelos deployed aboard USS America (CVA-66) in 1972, flying more than 75 reconnaissance missions over North Vietnam and Laos.
General Cannelos began his Air National Guard career in 1978 with the 144th Tactical Airlift Squadron at Kulis Air National Guard Base, flying as a C-130 'Hercules' navigator. In addition to tactical navigation, the General helped craft the first national Air Guard Long Range Plan via several short tours at the National Guard Bureau. He has flown throughout Alaska, the Pacific, and around the world on training and operational missions and deployments.
In December 1992, he served as Mission Commander for Alaskan aircrew and maintenance personnel deployed as part of Joint Task Force Provide Relief, based in Mombasa, Kenya, flying famine relief into southern and central Somalia. He commanded the 144th Airlift Squadron in 1993-1994, leading the unit to an Outstanding rating on an Operational Readiness Exercise, and an Excellent rating from the first Operational Readiness Inspection from Pacific Air Forces (PACAF). His briefings to demonstrate the Guard's economic and social contributions to the state and community have received national attention.
He is actively engaged in leadership development programs focusing on the people in the organization. He works closely with the Adjutant General, Alaskan Command, Pacific Air Forces, Air Force Space Command, the National Guard Bureau, Army National Guard, and other commands, to pursue and secure roles and missions for the Air Guard that are relevant for the State of Alaska and the Expeditionary Air Force.
1969 Bachelor of arts degree in economics, Lewis & Clark College, Portland, Ore.
1975 Master's degree of regional planning, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pa.
1987 Air Command and Staff College, by correspondence
1990 Air War College, by correspondence
1998 Naval War College - National Security Decision Making, Strategy and Policy, Newport, R.I.
1. Jul 1969 - August 1970, commissioning and flight training, Pensacola, Fla., USNR
2. August 1970 - August 1973, naval flight officer, RA-5C 'Vigilante', maintenance avionics officer, personnel officer,
public affairs officer, RVAH-6, Albany, Ga. and USS America (CVA-66), USN
3. August 1973 - July 1975, naval flight officer, P-3 'Orion' patrol aircraft, Naval Air Station Willow Grove, Pa., USNR
4. July 1975 - October 1978, intelligence officer, Naval Air Station Sand Point, USNR
5. October 1978 - January 1980, tactical navigator, C-130 'Hercules', 144th Airlift Squadron, Kulis Air National Guard Base, Alaska
6. January 1980 - May 1982, operational plans officer, 176th Group, Kulis Air National Guard Base, Alaska
7. May 1982 - September 1988, navigator supervisor, 144th Airlift Squadron, Kulis Air National Guard Base, Alaska
8. September 1988 - October 1989, operations management officer, HQ, Alaska Air National Guard, Fort Richardson, Alaska
9. October 1989 - June 1993, chief navigator, 144th Airlift Squadron, Kulis Air National Guard Base, Alaska
10. June 1993 - October 1994, commander, 144th Airlift Squadron, Kulis Air National Guard Base, Alaska
11. October 1994 - June 1996, director of operations, HQ, Alaska Air National Guard, Fort Richardson, Alaska
12. June 1996 - February 1999, executive support staff officer; HQ, Alaska Air National Guard, Fort Richardson, Alaska
13. February 1999 - present, assistant adjutant general, HQ, Alaska Air National Guard, Alaska Air National Guard, Fort Richardson, Alaska
Meritorious Service Medal
Air Medal with 6 devices
Aerial Achievement Medal
Air Force Commendation Medal
Navy Commendation Medal with Combat 'V'
Air Force Achievement Medal with 2 devices
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
Vietnam Service Medal with 1 device
Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with 1 device
Rating: Master Navigator
Flight Hours: More than 3,600
Aircraft Flown: A-3D, RA-5C, P-3, C-130
Additional Rating: FAA Flight Navigator
Joint Operations in Somalia, an Operator's Perspective in Proceedings, the journal of the U.S. Naval Institute, July 1993.
Ensign Nov 14, 1969
LT (jg) Nov 14, 1970
Captain Aug 25, 1973
Major Nov 14, 1983
Lieutenant Colonel Nov 5, 1988
Colonel Jun 8, 1995
Brigadier General Oct 29, 1999
(Current as of April 2000)
The date of publication indicated on this biography reflects the most recent update. It does not necessarily reflect the date of printing.