SALT LAKE CITY, Utah –
Brig. Gen. Christine Burckle of the Utah Air National Guard will receive the Legion of Merit, one of the highest peacetime U.S. military decorations, at her retirement ceremony, Thursday, Aug. 29, 2019 at 10 a.m. at the Roland R. Wright Air National Guard Base.
Burckle was commissioned in 1988 through the Reserve Officer Training Corp at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. She graduated first in her Undergraduate Navigator Training class at Mather AFB, CA in 1990, and served over eight years in the active Air Force at Carswell Air Force Base, Texas, and Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho. In August 1996, she joined the Utah Air National Guard as a KC-135 Navigator. She deployed for Operations Desert Shield/Storm, Uphold Democracy, Joint Forge, Allied Force and Enduring Freedom. She was also activated for Operation Noble Eagle. Burckle has over 3,000 flying hours in the KC-135. Recent positions include: Director of Staff, 151 ARW Vice Commander, and State Human Resources Officer.
As Commander of the Utah Air National Guard, she was responsible for the command, control and operations of plans and programs affecting more than 1,400 Utah Air National Guard personnel located at the Roland R. Wright Air National Guard Base, Salt Lake City, Utah.
“Brig. Gen. Burckle exemplifies some of the finest leadership we have seen in the Utah National Guard,” said Maj. Gen. Jeff Burton, the Adjunct General, Utah National Guard. “Her ability to connect and influence our Airmen and Soldiers, our state and national leaders, will have a lasting impact on the organization and the State of Utah for decades to come. She will be greatly missed.”
Burckle will receive the Legion of Merit for distinguishing herself by “exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements” over her 31-years of dedicated service.
Col. Daniel D. Boyack has been appointed to Burckle’s role as Assistant Adjutant General of the Commander of the Utah Air National Guard. Boyack began his career with the Utah Air National Guard in 1994. He was commissioned through the Air National Guard’s Academy of Military Science in 2000. Boyack is a veteran of several military operations and is currently serving as a Drill Status Guardsman while employed as a pilot with a major airline.
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