Major General Fred E. Ellis

Major General Fred E. Ellis joined the United States Air Force in 1968 and was commissioned through Officers Training School. In 1974, after numerous assignments with the active duty Air Force, he transferred to the Texas Air National Guard. General Ellis joined the Texas Air National Guard's 254th Combat Communications Squadron, which later became the 221th Combat Communications Squadron, in Garland, Texas.

During the next seven years, he served as the Director of Logistics, Director of Operations, and Deputy Commander. In these assignments, he was instrumental in the successful planning and execution of two major overseas Joint Chief's of Staff Exercises. These were the NATO (Europe) Exercises in 1979 and Team Spirit (Korea) in 1982.

Major General Ellis assumed command of the 254th Combat Communications Squadron in September of 1985. He led the 254th CCG to support Operation Uphold Democracy in 1994, and Operation Sea Signal (Guantanamo) Bay in 1994-1995. Under his leadership, the 254th CCG was recognized as the Texas Outstanding Air National Guard Unit in 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990 and again in 1993 and 1994. The unit also received the Texas Outstanding Family Support Group Award in 1994.

Outstanding participation in Sentry Vigilance in 1986,1989 and 1994 and Roving Sands in 1994 earned his unit Governor's Unit Citations in 1987 and 1990 and the Adjutant General's Citation of Commendation in 1989 and 1990. Recognized as one of the best of it's kind, the 254th Combat Communications Group was the first Air National Guard unit to be inspected under the Air Force Quality Criteria in 1994.

As his final duty assignment in the Air National Guard, Major General Ellis served as the Air National Guard Assistant to the Director of Communications and Information, Headquarters United States Air Force. He served as an advisor in matters relating to Air Force and Air National Guard policy, plans, structure, force mix, management, budget and mobilization of Air National Guard units.

Major General Ellis's military awards include the Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Air Force Training Medal, Texas Faithful Service Medal, Lone Star Distinguished Service Medal, Governor's Unit Citation and the Governor's Individual Award. His professional memberships and affiliations include the National Society of Professional Engineers, Texas Society of Professional Engineers, Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association, the National Guard Association of the United States and the National Guard Association of Texas.

Major General Ellis has designed and developed a variety of state-of-art military systems for the Air Force, holds two United States Patents and has published several papers in the field of Infrared Systems and Laser Physics. His outstanding accomplishments and distinguished service reflect the highest credit upon himself his family, the State of Texas and the Air National Guard.

Texas Air National Guard

2003