Lt. Col. Phillip B. Collins

[ironputts]

Lt. Col. Phillip B. Collins
Ascension Parish Composite Squadron
Louisiana Wing

Lt. Col. Phillip B. Collins, retired, passed away on April 28, 2018 at the age of 85 years, a native of Coushatta, LA and a resident of Baton Rouge, LA. He is a veteran in the United Stated Air Force with a lifetime of service to his country and his community. He was one of the leading C-130 pilots of his time. After earning the distinguished military graduate at SLI, he went on to fly for President Eisenhower's 1960 Presidential Party Tour air support, he later became a member of the historical Four Horseman, the first and only C-130 Hercules aerial demonstration team. Throughout his career he was called upon to develop many innovations and techniques for the C-130 that are still in use today, including the assault landing. He flew 200 combat missions in Vietnam that earned him the prestigious Distinguished Flying Cross, the Meritorious Service Medal, and the Air Medal with eleven oak clusters. He concluded his career as the commander of the largest maintenance squadron in the USAF. He continued his service as he transitioned from military to state government as the Deputy Commissioner of Agriculture and further state service. However, he devoted his greatest efforts and time towards community service. He was on the Board of Commissioners for the Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport during its expansion. He was one of the founding members of the Civil Air Patrol LA-022 Squadron, which supported Emergency Services including primary search and rescue, Homeland Security, and law enforcement support in finding missing individuals. He also served multiple terms as the CAP squadron commander, as well as, other positions, but received the most satisfaction reward in mentoring the cadets. He became the Civil Air Patrol Coordinator, who was recognized as establishing the Wreaths Across America at Port Hudson and throughout Louisiana for nine years. He was recognized twice with the Patrick Henry Award for Outstanding Patriotic Activities. Shortly before his death, the FAA awarded him with The Wright Brothers Pilot Award for his 62 years of flying which has only been awarded to only .007% of pilots in the United States since its conception. He is survived by his wife, Kate Eby Collins, son Phillip Collins, Jr. (wife Cheryl), daughters Patricia Mazul (husband Greg), Katherine Johnson (husband Chris), grandchildren Christopher Hesse (wife Laura), Sarah and Katie Collins, Hannah and Ryan Johnson, and great grandson Michael Hesse. Preceded in death by his parents Lance and Lois Collins, and daughter Susan Hesse. Pallbearers will be Major Phillip B. Collins, Jr., ret., CW3 Christopher Hesse, Lt. Col. Greg Mazul, ret., Col. Evans Spiceland, ret., Chris Johnson, Ryan Johnson, Scott Merritt. Honorary Pallbearers will be Steve Wesley, Carl Weber, Lewis Gill, Lt. Col. Mickey Marchand, Marvin Owen, Harry Stafford, Ken Best, 1st Sgt. USMC Russell Baltazar, and Ken Brummett.