[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 139 (Friday, September 8, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1742-E1743]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                 IN HONOR OF MAJ. GEN. JOHN F. PHILLIPS

                                 ______


                             HON. VIC FAZIO

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 7, 1995
  Mr. FAZIO of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor U.S. Air 
Force Maj. Gen. John F. Phillips, the Commander of the Sacramento Air 
Logistics Center [ALC] at McClellan Air Force Base. Major General 
Phillips will be retiring from the Air Force later this month after an 
exceptional career characterized by many significant and demanding 
assignments. Because of his outstanding record of leadership and 
accomplishments, the Secretary of Defense has asked Major Phillips to 
continue his service to the Nation by selecting him as Deputy 
Undersecretary of Defense for Logistics. In this critical position, he 
will oversee the work done by maintenance depots for all branches of 
the military.
  As commander of the Sacramento ALC, Major General Phillips oversees a 
center that employs approximately 13,500 civilian and military 
personnel and manages $3.2 billion annually, including a $548 million 
payroll and $820 million in contract awards. This center provides 
worldwide logistics support to a number of aircraft that include the F-
117 Stealth fighter, F-22, F-111 series, A-10, F-15 and KC-135; manages 
more than 200 communication systems and eight space systems; and 
repairs, overhauls and modifies entire categories of complex avionics 
components, hydraulic and pneudraulic systems, and flight control 
systems.
  Major General Phillips' Air Force career began when he was 
commissioned as a second lieutenant after receiving his bachelor of 
science degree with honors in biology and chemistry from Jarvis 
Christian College, TX. Later, he would earn his master of science 
degree in logistics management from the Air Force Institute of 
Technology. In addition, Major General Phillips has also studied and 
completed academic programs at several 

[[Page E 1743]]
other educational institutions including the Air Command and Staff 
College, the Institute of Aerospace Safety Engineering at the 
University of Southern California, the Defense Systems Management 
College, and Harvard University.
  After completing his navigator training, Major General Phillips 
attended KC-135 combat crew training and subsequently served as an 
instructor navigator. He flew regular combat missions over Vietnam as a 
KC-135 navigator. Subsequently, Major General Phillips graduated from 
pilot training with top honors and worked as a T-37 instructor pilot. 
His responsibilities continued to become more complex and challenging 
as his Air Force career progressed. Major General Phillips has held 
many assignments in the logistics management field, including positions 
at the Pentagon and several Air Force bases. Perhaps
 one of his most fascinating assignment was as a logistics systems 
analyst at the Doshan Tappeh Air Base in Iran during 1978 to 1979. 
Major General Phillips had the misfortune of being held hostage for 3 
weeks when the Ayatollah Khomeini overthrew the Shah of Iran. He was 
only released after the United States recognized the Khomeini regime.

  Major General Phillips is an experienced pilot, navigator and 
instructor pilot with more than 3,000 flying hours, including 300-plus 
combat flying hours over Vietnam. He has received several major 
military awards and decorations; some of these include the 
Distinguished Service Medal, the Air Force Commendation Medal with oak 
leaf cluster, and the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm. 
Despite the tremendous duties of overseeing the Sacramento ALC, Major 
General Phillips participates in a number of community activities. He 
serves on the board of directors of the Sacramento Urban League 
Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce, Ballet, and is the chairman of the 
local Combined Federal Campaign charity drive. Major General Phillips 
and his wife Blanche are the parents of three children and grandparents 
of two.
  Major General Phillips is keenly aware of the struggle that African 
American military officers and pilots before him have faced. In 
recognition of this, he helps maintain their spirit and the important 
history of their efforts through his service as the vice president of 
the Tuskegee Airmen Inc.
  I join my colleagues today in honoring Maj. Gen. John F. Phillips for 
his more than 30 years of distinguished and dedicated service to the 
Air Force and our Nation. I also congratulate him on his Department of 
Defense appointment and wish him continued success as he embarks on a 
new career.


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