NEW YORK CITY, New York –
Honoring Filipino-Americans in uniform both past and present, Defense Logistics Agency Energy Commander Air Force Brig. Gen. Jimmy Canlas was recognized at a Veterans Day event at the Philippine Consulate in New York City, Nov. 11.
Philippine Consul General Elmer Cato accompanied by the Under Secretary of the Air Force Hon. Gina Ortiz-Jones presented Canlas with a recognition plaque for his achievements.
“In pride and honor of the Philippines and the Filipino people by becoming one of the highest-ranking Filipino-Americans in the Armed Forces of the United States of America with his assumption as Brigadier General of the United States Air Force,” the award read.
Canlas and his wife are from the province of Pampanga, in the Philippines, northwest of Manila. Canlas’s grandfather was a World War II Army veteran who survived the Bataan death march, and his father, a Navy Seabee and Vietnam veteran, inspired him to serve.
Canlas’ Air Force career started in 1992 when he earned his commission. He got his pilot wings in 1994 and achieved the rank of brigadier general in October 2019. He is a command pilot with more than 4,400 hours in the C-21A, KC-135R and C-17A aircrafts. He has commanded an airlift squadron, an expeditionary group, an airlift wing, and the Defense Department’s largest Air Operations Center. He is a joint qualified officer having served with the United Nations Command in Korea and on the U.S. European Command (J-4) staff in Germany.
Canlas and his wife continue to speak two dialects in Filipino at home and with their two teenage children: Tagalog, which is the main dialect in the Philippines, and Pampango, which is spoken in the region where he grew up.
Congratulations Brig. Gen. Canlas on your achievement and recognition!