Major General John F. Kelliher III is a native of Hanson, Massachusetts.He graduated from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Aerospace Studies and was commissioned in April 1992. He was designated an unrestricted Naval Aviator in November 1994 and reported to Marine Helicopter Training Squadron 303 for training in the UH-1N. After twelve years of service, Major General Kelliher left active duty in September 2004 and joined the Marine Corps Reserve in February 2008.During active duty, Major General Kelliher served as a UH-1N pilot with the “Gunfighters” of Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 369, deploying twice to Okinawa, Japan. He served as a UH-1N Flight Instructor with Marine Helicopter Training Squadron 303. In 2000 he reported to HMX-1 and completed the conversion to fly the CH-53E. He served as a Marine One pilot in the VH-3 and VH-60.Major General Kelliher began his reserve career with HMLA-775 in Camp Pendleton. Upon deactivation of HMLA-775 in 2008 he served as the first Officer-in-Charge of the Squadron Augmentation Unit at Marine Light Attack Helicopter Training Squadron 303. After the last flight of the UH-1N on the west coast he reported to Reserve Support Unit, Air Stations West at MCAS Miramar. While serving as the Deployment Processing Center OIC he completed conversion training in the UC-35D. Flying with VMR Det Miramar, he deployed twice to Qatar, once as the detachment OIC for both the UC-35 Det at Al Udeid and the UC-12W Det at Camp Bastion. In 2012 he reported to VMR Belle Chasse and subsequently qualified in the UC-12W and served as the platform’s program manager.In 2014 he began his command tour with the “Red Dogs” of Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 773 and completed the conversion in the UH-1Y. Immediately following the tour with HMLA-773 he served as the Senior Reserve Advisor for Marine Aircraft Group 49 and then served as the Assistant Wing Commander, 4th Marine Aircraft Wing.General Officer assignments include Deputy Commanding General, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Deputy Commander Marine Forces Command, Marine Forces Northern Command and Commanding General, 4th Marine Aircraft Wing. He is presently serving as Director, Reserve Affairs.In total, Major General Kelliher has accumulated more than 4,500 mishap-free flight hours in nine different aircraft.Major General Kelliher is a graduate of the Marine Corps Command and Staff and Air War College Distance Education Programs.