Major Heath Phillips was raised in Albuquerque, New Mexico and enlisted in the Navy in February of 1998. In the Navy, he served as a Gas Turbines Systems Technician Electrical (GSE). He attained the rank of GSE3 before selection to the Broadened Opportunity for Officer Selection and Training program in 2000. Major Phillips received his Bachelor of Arts Degree in English from University of New Mexico and commissioned a Second Lieutenant in May of 2005.
Upon completion of The Basic School, he earned the military occupational specialty 7220 Air Traffic Control (ATC) Officer. Subsequently, he reported to Marine Air Control Squadron 2 (MACS-2) Detachment B in New River, North Carolina. While at Det B, he served as a Marine Air Traffic Control Mobile Team Leader and Detachment Commander. Additionally, he successfully graduated Weapons and Tactics Instructors Course 1-09. At Det B, he completed two deployments in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) before receiving orders to the ATC Schoolhouse in Pensacola, Florida in September 2009.
While serving as the Marine Liaison Officer there, Major Phillips also held duties as the Aviation Maintenance Squadron-2 (AMS-2) Executive Officer. Following Pensacola, he attended Expeditionary Warfare School in Quantico, Virginia. After graduation, he transferred to Marine Tactical Air Command Squadron – 38 (MTACS-38) at MCAS Miramar in August 2013. While there he served as the Tactical Air Command Center (TACC) Company Commander, Assistant Operations Officer, and Operations Officer. Major Phillips completed one deployment to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) with MTACS–38 performing Senior Air Coordinator duties. Major Phillips also served as the 3d Marine Air Wing Aviation Command and Control Officer.
In April 2016, Major Phillips reported to Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron-1 (MAWTS-1) for duties as the TACC Division Head. Major Phillips was then selected to attend Air Command and Staff College. He reported to Maxwell Air Force Base in June of 2019. In June 2020, Major Phillips reported back to MCAS Miramar for duty as the Executive Officer, MTACS-38.
Major Phillips personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with two Gold Stars, and Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal.