During his career Killey attained the rating of command pilot and flew more than 6,500 hours. His list of military aircraft flown includes the
T-37,
T-38,
F-4,
F-100,
A-7,
F-16 and
C-21.[4]
He left active duty in 1969 and joined the
South Dakota Air National Guard in 1970. He held a variety of training, staff and command positions, including Deputy Commander of the
114th Tactical Fighter Group. In March, 1983 he became Commander of the Group.[6]
In March 1987 Killey was named Adjutant General of the South Dakota National Guard and promoted to
brigadier general. He served until November 1988, when he was appointed Director of the Air National Guard and promoted to major general.[7]
After retiring from the military, Killey was a consultant on government, military and homeland security issues. He was also active in business, including a position on the advisory board of Previstar, Inc.[10]
In 2009 the new First Air Force and
Continental NORAD Region headquarters was dedicated as the Killey Center for Homeland Operations.[11]
August 1970 – March 1973, Squadron Fighter Pilot,
114th Tactical Fighter Group, South Dakota Air National Guard, Sioux Falls, S.D.
March 1973 – October 1974, Air Technician Flying Training Instructor, 114th Tactical Fighter Group, South Dakota Air National Guard, Sioux Falls, S.D.
October 1974 – April 1975, Outstanding Graduate F-100 Fighter Weapons School Arizona Air National Guard, Tucson, AZ.
April 1975 – September 1978, Group Weapons Tactics Officer and Chief of Standardization and Evaluation, 114th Tactical Fighter Group, South Dakota Air National Guard, Sioux Falls, S.D.
September 1978 – March 1983, Deputy Commander for Operations, 114th Tactical Fighter Group, South Dakota Air National Guard, Sioux Falls, S.D.
March 1983 – March 1987, Commander,
114th Tactical Fighter Group, South Dakota Air National Guard, Sioux Falls, S.D.
March 1987 – November 1988, Adjutant General, South Dakota National Guard, Rapid City, S.D.
November 1988 – January 1994, Director, Air National Guard, Washington D.C.