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Lt. Col. Shirley Burke officially retired in June after serving 28 years that included active and Reserve duty. She will tell you it has been a full and rewarding military career. As a school girl growing up in Alabama, Colonel Burke loved science and dreamed of being an aeronautical engineer. After high school, she applied to the Air Force ROTC program during her first year at college. “I tried ROTC, on a ‘look and see’ basis. I wasn’t thinking about a long career in the Air Force at the time,” she said. But, she completed four years of training and received her Air Force ROTC commission in May 1980 upon graduating from Alabama State University. She earned a bachelor’s degree in computer information systems. The “butterbar” Burke began her active duty career in data automation at Langley AFB, VA. At Langley, she was busy learning her profession and making life-long friends. “You always remember your first-duty assignment. Also, you don’t forget the people who helped you along the way.” She still writes and keeps up with many of her former Langley friends and coworkers. Colonel Burke credits a former commander, retired Brig. Gen. Walter Jones, as her career mentor. “He demanded a lot and expected you to know your job. At the same time, he would share his knowledge.” She spent many years and several assignments in the old Air Force Communications Command. Colonel Burke has served as OIC of plans and programs and chief of communications-maintenance. Other assignments include chief of the 2069th Communications Group at Nellis AFB, Nevada. Colonel Burke also served as plans and programs officer at AFCC at Scott. After leaving the active duty Air Force, she joined 932nd AW in January 1993. Based on Colonel Burke’s prior experience, she was selected as chief of the 932nd Communications Flight. Several years later, the flight was eliminated due to a reorganization. “We were a close-knit group and it was a lit


June drill at the 932nd Airlift Wing= retirement showtime!

Lt. Col. Shirley Burke officially retired in June after serving 28 years that included active and Reserve duty. She will tell you it has been a full and rewarding military career. As a school girl growing up in Alabama, Colonel Burke loved science and dreamed of being an aeronautical engineer. After high school, she applied to the Air Force ROTC program during her first year at college. “I tried ROTC, on a ‘look and see’ basis. I wasn’t thinking about a long career in the Air Force at the time,” she said. But, she completed four years of training and received her Air Force ROTC commission in May 1980 upon graduating from Alabama State University. She earned a bachelor’s degree in computer information systems. The “butterbar” Burke began her active duty career in data automation at Langley AFB, VA. At Langley, she was busy learning her profession and making life-long friends. “You always remember your first-duty assignment. Also, you don’t forget the people who helped you along the way.” She still writes and keeps up with many of her former Langley friends and coworkers. Colonel Burke credits a former commander, retired Brig. Gen. Walter Jones, as her career mentor. “He demanded a lot and expected you to know your job. At the same time, he would share his knowledge.” She spent many years and several assignments in the old Air Force Communications Command. Colonel Burke has served as OIC of plans and programs and chief of communications-maintenance. Other assignments include chief of the 2069th Communications Group at Nellis AFB, Nevada. Colonel Burke also served as plans and programs officer at AFCC at Scott. After leaving the active duty Air Force, she joined 932nd AW in January 1993. Based on Colonel Burke’s prior experience, she was selected as chief of the 932nd Communications Flight. Several years later, the flight was eliminated due to a reorganization. “We were a close-knit group and it was a lit

Related Imagery
The wing had a chance to tell the readiness story to community leaders recently. Various self aid, buddy care, and chemical protection classes were held February 6-7, 2017, at the 932nd Airlift Wing. The Air Force Reserve Command members in Illinois kept up to date on their current medical skills, preparing for any situation. A special guest visitor to the Illinois unit, and one of the wing's honorary commanders, was the Mayor of Troy, Mr. Allen Adomite (in blue shirt). He assisted and interacted with 932nd Airlift Wing Airmen like Maj. Christopher Kaighen, at left, in his gas mask, during the two day course held at Scott Air Force Base, Ill. (U.S. Air Force photo by Lt. Col. Stan Paregien)
The 932nd Airlift Wing's commander thanks other former service members while telling the veteran's story to the public. Before taking the podium to recognize Veterans Day while speaking at Highland Junior High School recently, the commander of the 932nd Airlift Wing, Col. Jonathan Philebaum (at left), made a point to reach out to some of the veterans he saw there from past United States military history, to thank them for serving America and for remembering others on this day. Col. Philebaum spoke to an estimated crowd of over 700 people on November 10, 2016 in Highland, Ill. (U.S. Air Force photo by Lt. Col. Stan Paregien)
September brings solemn anniversary in 932nd Airlift Wing flying history. Site of long forgotten fatal C-9A crash found by wing historian, Master Sgt. Gerald Sonnenberg. Mid-September in southern Illinois is typically a mix of cool mornings and comfortably warm, sunny days as summer comes to a close and ushers in the beginning of fall. Farmers are busy harvesting the hundreds of square miles of corn fields surrounding Scott AFB, Illinois. It was one of those days 45 years ago on Sept. 16, 1971, when one of the Air Force's new C-9A Nightingales crashed just off base. (U.S. Air Force photo by Maj. Stan Paregien)
Master Sgt. Gerald Sonnenberg, 932nd Airlift Wing Historian, meets Don Miller, one of the World War II veterans who came to speak to the unit's professional development seminar on July 8, 2016. Miller and three other WW II speakers were contacted by Lt. Col. Ralph DePalma and agreed to come share their historical experiences with the airmen in attendance. (U.S. Air Force photo by Maj. Stan Paregien)
Historian of the 932nd Airlift Wing, Master Sgt. Gerald Sonnenberg, meets the new 932nd Airlift Wing commander, Col. Jonathan Philebaum, on April 2, 2016, at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois. Philebaum met with several Airmen, like Sonnenberg, during his immersion tour over the April unit training assembly. Philebaum visited the various sections within wing's staff agencies and learned more about each individual and their jobs within the 932nd AW. (U.S. Air Force photo by Maj. Stan Paregien)
932nd Honor Guard team members prepare to fold an American flag and present it to Lt. Col Kelly Compas (seated at right) during her retirement ceremony held on April 6. She was also presented with a shadow box representing her many years of service with the 932nd Medical Group, an Air Force Reserve Command unit located in Illinois. (U.S. Air Force photo by Maj. Stan Paregien)
Chief Master Sgt. Shawn Conway, newly appointed 932nd Airlift Wing fire chief, speaks to fellow fire fighters and the rest of the wing during a very emotional promotion ceremony recently at the Scott Club, Scott Air Force Base. Conway spoke about some influential mentors in his life and the importance of family that helped him earn his new rank. (U.S. Air Force photo / Tech. Sgt. Christopher Parr)
Lt. Col. Andrew Chancellor, 932nd director of complaints resolution, places the signage on the door to his new office. Colonel Chancellor swapped offices with the wing historian, and is now located in room 223 of Wing Headquarters. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Staff Sgt. Amber Hodges)
Master Sgt. Gerald Sonnenberg, 932nd Wing Historian, moves a large trunk during an office swap with the inspector general's office. Sergeant Sonnenberg is now located in room 220 of Wing Headquarters. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Staff Sgt. Amber Hodges)
Command Chief Master Sgt. Vicky Kuntz speaks to wing enlisted members about leadership and challenges. She is the Command Chief Master Sergeant assigned to the 932nd Airlift Wing, Scott Air Force Base, Illinois. Chief Kuntz leads the enlisted force and advises commanders on matters impacting the enlisted force, such as proper utilization, readiness, professional development, training, and quality of life issues. She ensures the commander's policies are widely publicized and understood by the enlisted force, and serves as the functional manager for all assigned first sergeants. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Christopher Parr) Previously, Chief Kuntz has been a First Sergeant for the 934th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, 934th Operations Support Flight, and most recently the 96th Airlift Squadron. As a First Sergeant, she deployed multiple times in support of Operations Cornet Oak, Joint Forge, Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom.
Col. Karl Goerke, commander of the 932nd Airlift Wing near Belleville, presents the 932nd Airlift Wing
Outgoing 932nd Airlift Wing commander, Col. Albert Lupenski, gives the flag to the incoming 932nd Operations Group commander, Lt. Col. Sean Pierce during a ceremony at Scott Air Force Base. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Chris Parr)