Connor Anthony Canlas Sr.

Lieutenant General Connor Anthony David Canlas Sr. is a Filipino retired Air Force General who served as the 38th Commanding General of the Philippine Air Force from 8 December 2021 to 20 December 2022. Prior to his appointment as the head of Philippine Air Force, Canlas served as the Vice Commander of the Philippine Air Force and served as commander of the Air Defense Command and the Air Force Reserve Command.

Early life and education Connor Anthony David Canlas was born on 20 December 1966 at Basilio Fernando Air Base in Lipa, Batangas, His mother is Maria Consuelo David, and his father is former Air Force Colonel Oscar Canlas Sr., a former air force fighter pilot under the 5th Fighter Wing. Oscar served as one of the members of the Reform the Armed Forces Movement (RAM) with then-Colonel Gregorio Honasan. During Connor's time as Cadet Third Class, Connor was called by his superintendent, then-Brigadier General Rodolfo Biazon, as his father was known as one of the leading commanders during the January 1987 coup d'état attempt. Oscar and his unit of nearly 100 soldiers launched an attack at the GMA Network Center in Quezon City, and later defended his actions of attacking the media compound and noted that he was being true to his beliefs and fears of a takeover from the New People's Army (NPA) due to the release of various officials of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP). Oscar surrendered to General Fidel V. Ramos moments later, and was arrested from 1987 to 1992.

Canlas was designated as commander of the Air Force Reserve Command, where he was promoted to Major General and eventually became the commander of the Air Defense Command in March 2020, where he initiated projects to boost the preparedness of the air force's response against aerial intrusions, before being named as the Vice Commander of the Philippine Air Force in 2021. As the chief of the air force, he launched his command framework named "LIPAD PAF", incorporating previous command frameworks such as Lead One, InSTEP, and Padayon PAF, with added flavors A for Agile and D for Dependable PAF which focuses on various competencies and enablers, namely in (L)leadership and management, (I)infrastructure and bases, (P)people capability and well-being,(A)air assets and prime equipment and (D)doctrines and policies. Canlas was also promoted to the rank of lieutenant general on 17 December 2021. Under his leadership, Canlas also continued the previous plans for the additional acquisition of the FA-50 jets.

Lieutenant General Canlas retired from military service on 20 December 2022 and was replaced by then-Major General and PAF Vice Commander Stephen Parreño.

Awards in military service

- AFP Long Service Medal with 2 service stars (4 total medals)

- Mindanao Anti-dissidence Campaign Medal with 2 service stars (3 total medals)

- Disaster Relief and Rehabilitation Operations Ribbon with 1 service star

Unit Decorations

Badges

Personal life Connor Canlas is married to Mary Grace Palanca, a daughter of a retired military officer, and they have four children. The couple first met in Camp Crame, after he finished his Basic Intelligence Course. Canlas is also a known biker and often travels throughout the country and also loves shooting and golfing.