Henry David Canterbury

MAJOR GENERAL HENRY "HANK" DAVID CANTERBURY
U.S. Air Force Academy Class of 1959 | Cadet Squadron 4

Born and raised in Huntsville, Alabama, Henry "Hank" David Canterbury received a congressional appointment to the inaugural class of the United States Air Force Academy. As one of the "First Falcons," Hank entered an untested tradition. He trained at the temporary location at Lowry Air Force Base in Denver before marching onto the newly built Colorado Springs campus. Hank demonstrated exceptional balance, coordination, and athletic leadership as a standout member and captain of the USAFA gymnastics team, specializing in the trampoline. He graduated on June 3, 1959, earning a Bachelor of Science degree as part of the Academy's historic first graduating class.

He furthered his education with a Master's degree in Systems Management from the University of Southern California. His military education includes completing the Armed Forces Staff College and the National War College.

FLYING MASTERY & THUNDERBIRD DEMONSTRATION

Hank was commissioned as a second lieutenant upon graduation and immediately went to flight school. He earned his pilot wings in July 1960 after completing flight training at Spence Air Base, Georgia, and Vance Air Force Base, Oklahoma. Fighter training followed quickly. He mastered the F-100 Super Sabre and F-105 Thunderchief, taking his first operational posting with the 9th Tactical Fighter Squadron at Spangdahlem Air Base, West Germany.

Returning to the United States in 1964, Canterbury served with the 333rd Tactical Fighter Squadron at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, flying F-105s. This unit was assigned to the Tactical Air Warfare Center, focusing on testing and evaluating tactics, procedures, and equipment concepts.

By late 1964, Hank's reputation as a razor-sharp stick-and-rudder aviator reached the highest levels of the Air Force. In December 1964, Canterbury achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first USAFA graduate selected to fly for the U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, "The Thunderbirds".

Flying the demanding No. 4 (slot position) in the F-100 Super Sabre, he made his debut performance on February 1, 1965, during General Curtis LeMay's retirement flyover. Over a two-year tenure, he flew in more than 230 precision air shows worldwide. He inspired millions while serving as a high-profile ambassador, showcasing American air power and military aviation excellence.

COMBAT SERVICE IN VIETNAM & SOUTHEAST ASIA

Following his Thunderbird assignment and completion of the Fighter Weapons School at Nellis AFB, Canterbury deployed to Southeast Asia for his first combat tour from June 1967 to June 1968. Serving as Chief of the Weapons and Tactics Division for the 3rd Tactical Fighter Wing at Bien Hoa Air Base, South Vietnam, he flew 286 combat missions in the F-100 Super Sabre.

During this tour, on a low-altitude strike over the South China Sea, his heavily loaded F-100 suffered total engine failure. Hank jettisoned his bombs and fuel tanks instantly. The engine refused to restart. With no altitude left to spare, he pulled the ejection handles and punched out into open water. Flight mates circled above, covering him until a rescue chopper pulled him safely from the sea an hour later. True to his character, Hank later brushed off the life-or-death ejection as "kind of an exciting time."

Following his first combat tour, Canterbury was assigned to Headquarters U.S. Air Force in Washington, D.C. in the Pentagon, as an Air Operations Staff Officer with the Deputy Chief of Staff for Plans and Operations, Directorate of Operations. From 1969 to 1970, he served as Executive Officer to the Vice Commander in Chief of U.S. Air Forces in Europe at Lindsey Air Station, West Germany. He then moved to Randolph Air Force Base, Texas, serving as Executive Officer to the Commander of Air Training Command from September 1970 to June 1971.

After completing the Armed Forces Staff College, Canterbury was assigned to the 31st Tactical Fighter Wing, 308th Tactical Fighter Squadron, at Homestead Air Force Base in July 1972. Canterbury returned to combat during his second tour when he deployed with the 308th TFS in early December 1972 to Ubon Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, serving as Operations Officer until June 1973. Flying the F-4E Phantom II, he flew an additional 90 combat missions. During a pivotal moment of the war, Hank flew in the No. 4 position as part of the first four-ship F-4E element sent over downtown Hanoi directly following a long bombing pause. His flight laid down a critical chaff corridor through heavy anti-aircraft fire, shielding follow-on strike forces from enemy radar. Upon returning from his second tour, he assumed command of the 308th TFS and led the squadron as a Replacement Training Unit (RTU) until being promoted to Colonel and attending the National War College from 1975 to 1976.

SENIOR LEADERSHIP & COMMAND

Hank's senior leadership career carried him into some of the Tactical Air Command’s most critical operational responsibilities. Following his assignment as Assistant Deputy Director for Combat Readiness at HQ USAF, he served as Vice Commander of the 4th Tactical Fighter Wing at Seymour Johnson AFB. Taking command of the 56th Tactical Fighter Wing at MacDill Air Force Base in 1979, he spearheaded the wing's milestone conversion to the F-16 Fighting Falcon. He subsequently moved to Luke Air Force Base in 1982 to command the 832nd Air Division and the 26th NORAD Region, overseeing frontline fighter pilot training alongside regional air defense operations.

In December 1984, Hank assumed international leadership responsibilities as Deputy Commander in Chief of U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) in Quarry Heights, Panama, and Commander of the USAF Southern Air Division. In this capacity, he represented the Joint Chiefs of Staff across Latin America, building strategic partnerships with foreign air forces. He capped three decades of distinguished military service as Vice Commander of 9th Air Force at Shaw Air Force Base until his retirement on July 1, 1989.

Across his career as a command pilot, Hank logged over 5,000 cockpit hours in a formidable array of aircraft, including the F-100, F-105, F-4, F-15, F-16, and A-10. He was promoted to Major General on August 1, 1985. Hank received the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal at retirement in recognition of his extraordinary contributions to the nation.

POST-MILITARY CAREER & FAMILY LEGACY

Retirement from uniform did not diminish Hank's commitment to aviation or leadership. He transitioned into higher education and executive roles, serving as Director of Military Programs at the University of Phoenix from 1990 to 1997. Deeply dedicated to flight safety, he spent four years (1994–1998) as Vice President and Director of the Bonanza Pilot Proficiency Program, elevating civilian flight instruction standards nationwide. In 1998, he founded AcroAir LLC, serving as President and providing expert flight proficiency training and aviation consulting.

In 1967, while attending Fighter Weapons School at Nellis AFB, Hank married his beautiful wife, Evelyn (Lyn) Kersten. Blessed with a wonderful life together, Hank and Lyn continue to enjoy their journey, celebrating six decades of marriage and devotion.

That deep commitment to aviation, family, and service left an enduring mark, inspiring a second generation of Air Force leadership. His son, Brigadier General Todd "Tales" Canterbury, followed in his father’s footsteps with a distinguished military career that closely mirrored Hank’s own—a source of immense pride for Hank and the entire family.

Todd’s career was defined by exceptional airmanship and leadership. He was an accomplished combat aviator who flew combat missions in both the F-15E Strike Eagle and the MC-12 Liberty. From 2001 to 2004, he spent three years with the U.S. Air Force Demonstration Squadron, the Thunderbirds—serving first as the No. 6 Opposing Solo and then for two years as the No. 5 Lead Solo.

Following his tenure with the Thunderbirds, Todd attended Air Command and Staff College (ACSC) before commanding the 334th Tactical Fighter Squadron at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base’s 4th Tactical Fighter Wing from 2006 to 2009. Promoted to Colonel, he attended the National War College from 2009 to 2010.

His career continued with high-level operational and command roles, including a one-year deployment as Vice Commander at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, followed by an assignment in Yongsan, South Korea, from 2011 to 2013. From 2013 to 2015, Todd served as Wing Commander of the 33rd Fighter Wing at Eglin Air Force Base, leading the military's premier joint-service F-35 Lightning II Fighter Training Wing. After three years serving in the Pentagon, he was promoted to Brigadier General and took command of the 56th Fighter Wing at Luke Air Force Base.

For Hank, watching Todd assume command at Luke Air Force Base was an exceptionally meaningful milestone. Having served as Commander of Luke AFB when it was designated the 832nd Air Division—a assignment Hank considers among his most gratifying and productive in the Air Force—seeing his son lead the same base brought their shared legacy full circle. Following a successful two-year command at Luke, Brigadier General Todd Canterbury retired from active duty. Today, he and his family reside nearby in Litchfield Park, Arizona, continuing a proud legacy of service close to home.

EDUCATION & ACADEMIC CREDENTIALS

1959 U.S. Air Force Academy Bachelor of Science
1967 USAF Fighter Weapons School (Nellis AFB) Fighter Weapons Instructor
1972 University of Southern California Master of Science in Systems Management
1972 Armed Forces Staff College PME Graduate
1976 National War College PME Graduate

MAJOR MEDALS & DECORATIONS

• Defense Distinguished Service Medal (with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster)
• Defense Superior Service Medal
• Legion of Merit (with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster)
• Distinguished Flying Cross (with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster)
• Bronze Star Medal
• Meritorious Service Medal
• Air Medal (with 20 Oak Leaf Clusters / 21 Awards)

SERVICE ASSIGNMENTS

1959 – 1960 Student, Primary & Basic Pilot Training Spence AB, GA / Vance AFB, OK
1961 – 1964 Fighter Pilot (F-100, F-105) 9th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Spangdahlem AB, West Germany
1964 – 1965 Fighter Test & Evaluation Pilot (F-105) 333rd Tactical Fighter Squadron, Eglin AFB, FL
1965 – 1966 Demonstration Pilot, No. 4 Slot Position (F-100) USAF Air Demonstration Squadron (Thunderbirds), Nellis AFB, NV
1967 – 1968 Chief, Weapons & Tactics Division (286 F-100 Combat Missions) 3rd Tactical Fighter Wing, Bien Hoa AB, South Vietnam
1968 – 1969 Air Operations Staff Officer HQ USAF (Pentagon), Washington, D.C.
1969 – 1970 Executive Officer to Vice CINC USAFE Headquarters, Lindsey Air Station, West Germany
1970 – 1971 Executive Officer to Commander HQ Air Training Command (ATC), Randolph AFB, TX
1972 – 1975 Operations Officer & Commander (90 F-4E Combat Missions) 308th TFS / 31st TFW, Homestead AFB, FL & Ubon RTAFB, Thailand
1976 – 1978 Assistant Deputy Director for Combat Readiness HQ USAF, Washington, D.C.
1978 – 1979 Vice Commander 4th Tactical Fighter Wing, Seymour Johnson AFB, NC
1979 – 1982 Wing Commander (F-16 Transition) 56th Tactical Fighter Wing, MacDill AFB, FL
1982 – 1984 Commander 832nd Air Division / 26th NORAD Region, Luke AFB, AZ
1984 – 1987 Deputy CINC, USSOUTHCOM & Commander HQ U.S. Southern Command / USAF Southern Air Division, Panama
1987 – 1989 Vice Commander HQ 9th Air Force (TAC), Shaw AFB, SC