Captain Phillip R. Wood is a native of Topeka, Kansas. In 1950, Captain Wood enlisted in the United States Navy and served three combat cruises in Korea on board the destroyer USS OBANNON (DDE-450). Following graduation from the University of Tulsa, Captain Wood entered the Naval Flight Training Program. After being designated a Naval Aviator in 1959, he served in both fighter and attack squadrons having completed five deployments in the Western Pacific.

In 1969, he reported to the F-8 Replacement Training Squadron (VF-124) and served as Officer-in-Charge of the Fighter Weapons School and was assigned to the initial F-14 cadre at NAS Miramar as Model Manager. Upon completion of his tour, Captain Wood reported to the Naval Postgraduate School in September 1970 as a student, earning a Master of Science degree.

Following graduation in 1972, he returned to sea duty as Carrier Air Wing TWO Operations Officer and completed his third Vietnam combat cruise on board USS RANGER. Following a tour as VF Training Officer at Headquarters, Commander Naval Air Force Pacific, Captain Wood commenced F-14 flight training in VF-124. In December 1975, he reported to VF-211 as Executive Officer, and served as Commanding Officer from April 1976 to April 1977. Captain Wood assumed command of Carrier Air Wing ELEVEN in December 1977 and made deployments to the Western Pacific on board USS KITTY HAWK and to the Mediterranean on board USS AMERICA. Captain Wood reported to OPNAV in May 1979, and was assigned to OP-506 as Assistant Head, Aircraft and Weapons Requirements Branch. Following the Washington tour in October 1980, he attended the Senior Officers Ship Material Readiness Course at Naval Reactors Facility, Idaho Falls, Idaho. In July 1981, Captain Wood assumed command of USS WABASH (AOR-5), and was deployed in the Indian Ocean and Western Pacific. Following completion of a ten month major overhaul, he was assigned to the staff, Headquarters, Commander in Chief, U.S. Pacific Fleet, where he served as Air Operations Officer.

Having served all of his aviation career in attack carrier squadrons, Captain Wood has accumulated over 5,000 accident-free flight hours and 940 carrier landings. His personal decorations and awards include the Silver Star Medal, Distinguished Flying Cross, Meritorious Service Medal with Gold Star, and thirteen Air Medals.

Captain Wood is married to the former Nellie Owens of Jacksonville, Florida.