Major Jimmy Canlas

Major Jimmy “Vegas” Canlas is Chief, C-17 Tactical Procedures and Policies, Directorate of Operations, Headquarters Air Mobility Command at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois. He is the focal point for tactical airdrop improvements and testing and implements new concepts on employment of tactical airlift. The major also sets requirements for combat survivability of MAF aircraft.

Major Canlas was commissioned as a Distinguished Graduate from the University of Texas at San Antonio. He earned his wings in 1994, and served as instructor pilot in three different airframes, flight examiner, chief of tactics and assistant operations officer. He has expertise in air refueling, operational support, tactical and strategic airlift. He was hand-picked by the DIRMOBFOR in 2003 to serve on the first-ever AMD Strategic Plans Branch, and was the lead operational planner for the 173rd BDE Insertion into Northern Iraq.

Major Canlas is a senior pilot with more than 3,500 hours in the T-37, T-38, C-21A, KC-135R and the C-17A.

EDUCATION:

• 1992, Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX
• 1998, Combat Aircrew Tactics Training School, Air Mobility Warfare Center, Fort Dix, NJ.
• 2001, Squadron Officer School, by correspondence
• 2001, Distinguished Graduate, Squadron Officer School, Maxwell Air Force Base, AL.
• 2002, Air Mobility Operations Course, Air Mobility Warfare Center, Fort Dix, NJ.
• 2005, Air Command and Staff College, by correspondence

ASSIGNMENTS:

1. May 1993 - Jul 1994, Student, Undergraduate Pilot Training, Laughlin AFB, TX.
2. Aug 1994 - May 1997, C-21A Instructor Aircraft Commander, Chief of Life Support, Operations Group Executive Officer, Scott AFB, IL.
3. Jun 1997 - Mar 2000, KC-135R Instructor Aircraft Commander, Aircrew Scheduler, Senior Training Flight Instructor Pilot, Kadena AB, Japan.
4. Mar 2000 - Jun 2003, C-17A Evaluator Aircraft Commander, Pilot Scheduler, Command Post Duty Officer, Chief of Tactics, Assistant Operations Officer, McChord Air Force Base, WA.
5. Jun 2003 - Present, Chief of C-17 Tactical Procedures and Policies, Scott AFB, IL.

FLIGHT INFORMATION:

• Rating: Senior Pilot
• Flight Hours: More than 3,500
• Aircraft Flown: T-37, T-38, C-21A, KC-135R, C-17A

AWARDS AND DECORATIONS:

• Bronze Star Medal
• Meritorious Service Medal
• Aerial Achievement Medal with one oak leaf cluster
• Air Force Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster
• Air Force Achievement Medal
• National Defense Medal
• Combat Readiness Medal
• Air Force Outstanding Unit Award
• Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
• Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon with Gold Border
• Air Force Longevity Service Ribbon with one oak leaf cluster
• Air Force Overseas Long Tour Ribbon
• Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon
• Air Force Training Ribbon

OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS:

• UPT Outstanding Second Lieutenant
• Air Mobility Command’s Excellence In Airmanship Award
• Distinguished Graduate, C-21A Instructor Pilot Course
• Squadron CGO Quarter (4 times)
• 62 AW CGO of the Quarter
• Wing Airlift/Tanker Association Young Leadership Award
• 15th AF Tactician of the Year
• Air Force Association Operations Coordinator (National)
• National Administrative Consultant, Arnold Air Society and Silver Wings
• Air Force Association Chapter Secretary

EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION:

• Second Lieutenant: May 14, 1992
• First Lieutenant: November 7, 1994
• Captain: November 7, 1996
• Major: May 1, 2003

(Current as of February 2005)