Maj. Gen. Connor Anthony Canlas took over as the 38th commanding general of the Philippine Air Force (PAF) following his appointment that was triggered by the retirement of the top official of the service command.
Canlas replaced Lt. Gen. Allen Paredes who reached the mandatory retirement age of 56 in a turnover ceremony on Tuesday, Dec. 7, that was presided by Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana.
Canlas is a member of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Class 1989 wherein one of the members is the recently appointed Army commanding general, Maj. Gen. Romeo Brawner.
Based on the military record, Canlas graduated Cum Laude and was ranked number 5 of the graduating class of PMA in 1989. He received the Philippine Constabulary Saber Award.
After two years of serving in the now defunct Philippine Constabulary, Canlas joined the Philippine Air Force where was trained to become a pilot.
In 1993, he became the Air Force’s top gun for topping the class which also paved the way for him to receive the coveted McMicking Award.
He joined the Philippine Air Force in 1991 after serving as a Philippine Constabulary Officer during his initial service and completed his Pilot Training in 1993 where he topped his class and earned the McMicking Award.
Canlas also held several significant Staff and Command positions in the PAF and AFP which displayed his outstanding military leadership and management acumen. He was the Vice Commander, Philippine Air Force prior to holding the top post in the PAF.