SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. -- The former commander of the 932nd Airlift Wing's Maintenance Group, Col. Sharon Johnson, leads the way down the stairs of a C-40C plane, followed by the honoree, Master Sgt. Kenna Collier, who retired in a special ceremony March 9, 2019, at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois. Master Sergeant Kenna K, Collier retired from the Maintenance Group as Training Manager.
Sergeant Collier entered the Air Force in 1985, and completed basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. In February 1986, she moved on to her technical training for Dental Assisting at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas. She graduated in May 1986 and received an assignment to the 375th Dental Squadron at Scott. While there, she worked as a Dental Assistant, NCOIC of General Dentistry and dental transcriptionist. She was promoted Below the Zone in June of 1988.
In December 1989, she retrained to become a Education and Training Manager. She attended school at Sheppard Air Force Base and returned to Scott where she was assigned as a Base Training Manager at the 375th Mission Support Squadron.
In June 1991, she was reassigned to the 554th Red Horse Squadron, Osan AB Korea, as a Readiness Training Manager. Upon completion of this tour in June 1992, she was then reassigned as a Squadron OJT Manager to 62d Aerial Port Squadron, McChord AFB in Washington.
In December 1994, Sergeant Collier separated from active duty and joined the Air Force Reserve and was assigned to the 932nd Airlift Wing as a Wing Training Manager.
Her final assignment in November 1995 was to the 932nd Maintenance Group, where she accepted the Air Reserve Technician (ART) position of Maintenance Group Training Manager. Sergeant Collier was selected as the Training Manager of the Year for AFRC in 2002, and 932d Maintenance Group Senior NCO of the Year in 2017.
Her additional duties included, but were not limited to, Group Unit Training Assembly Participation (UTAPs) Monitor, Group Civilian Personnel Liaison and Government Purchase Card Holder. She also held the position of the Wing UTAPs Focal Point and dedicated vital support to numerous personnel issues for both the group and the wing.
Sergeant Collier’s awards and decorations include the Air Force Meritorious Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster, the Air Force Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster, the Air Force Achievement Medal, the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with three oak leaf clusters, the Air Force Good Conduct Medal with three oak leaf clusters, the Air Reserve Forces Meritorious Service Medal with seven oak leaf clusters, the National Defense Service Medal with one bronze star, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Air Force Overseas Ribbon Short, the Air Force Longevity Service award with seven oak leaf clusters, the Armed Forces Reserve Medal with silver hour glass, the Noncommissioned Officer Professional Military Education Graduate ribbon, and the Air Force Training Ribbon. (U.S. Air Force photo by Lt. Col. Stan Paregien)