Air Force Major Gen. Michael A. Collings Speaks on Campus

It isn’t often college students get to meet a two-star general in person and ask him about his insights into the current situation in the Middle East. Maj. Gen. Michael A. Collings, Chief, Office of Military Cooperation, Egypt, gave Holy Cross students this rare opportunity on a warm day in late September.

Unfortunately, the evening lecture that had been planned for Driscoll Auditorium had to be rescheduled to an early afternoon lecture the next day because the General’s flight was delayed. What had been expected to be a large crowd turned into an intimate affair because of conflicts with student classes. However, those who took advantage of the seminar were left inspired and informed by the General’s stories about life in the Middle East, negotiating with Arab leaders, and his experiences as a fighter pilot.

As the Senior United States Defense Representative to Egypt, General Collings leads one of the largest Security Assistance Offices in the world and manages an annual budget of $1.3 billion. The Office of Military Cooperation (OMC), Egypt, comprises six divisions responsible for all aspects of the security assistance mission in Egypt. In addition to providing advice and assistance to the Government of Egypt on a wide range of military procurement and training issues, OMC serves as a liaison between the Egyptian Ministry of Defense and US Central Command, coordinating the planning of joint military exercises throughout the region. The OMC provides administrative and logistical support to more than 400 military and civilian personnel and their families stationed in Egypt.

Although General Collings is not involved in the mission in Iraq, his son, also a fighter pilot, has seen duty there. The General’s unique position as both a military leader and a concerned parent added an emotional context to his thoughts that moved listeners and helped put a human face on the complexities our country is currently facing.