Col. Burger finishes 30 year Air Force career
By Senior Airman Cody Martin, 188th Wing Public Affairs
/ Published May 15, 2016
EBBING AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Ark. -- Col. Brian T. Burger, commander of the 188th Operations Group, retired after 30 years of service May 15, 2016, during a formal retirement ceremony at the 188th Wing.
Col. Bobbi Doorenbos, 188th Wing commander, presided over the ceremony, which included Col. Robert Kinney, 188th Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Group commander, as a guest speaker.
"I appreciate all of the support you have given me and my group," Kinney expressed. "You've done a phenomenal job. Bravo on a 30 year career."
Burger entered the Air Force as a graduate of the United States Air Force Academy and was commissioned a second lieutenant May 1986. Upon completion of pilot training, he was assigned to Myrtle Beach Air Force Base, South Carolina before working as an initial cadre instructor pilot in the newly formed 75th Fighter Squadron at Pope Air Force Base, North Carolina.
Burger concluded his active duty career after serving as the U.S. Air Force Weapons School instructor in the A-10 division at Nellis AFB, Nevada and director of operations of the 548th Combat Training School at Barksdale AFB, Louisiana.
In 2000, Burger entered the Connecticut Air National Guard where he served as an instructor and evaluator pilot in the A-10A, A-29 and C-21A. He joined the 188th in Sept. of 2011, where his primary responsibilities were serving as an instructor and evaluator in the A-10C.
Burger commanded the 188th OG through the largest conversion in wing history where it transitioned from a fighter mission with the A-10C to an intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance; space targeting; and remotely piloted aircraft mission with the MQ-9.
As a command pilot, Burger has logged more than 6,100 hours of military flight in numerous aircraft, including the A-10C Thunderbolt II "Warthog," the wing's last aircraft.
"Nobody knows what BT means and there has to be something better than Brian Taylor," Kinney said, in regards to Burger's nickname. "I prefer to go with battle tested. The guy is a war hero and a warrior."
At the conclusion of the ceremony, Burger thanked everyone for showing and expressed how honored he was to serve with in 188th.
"It's been a privilege to serve with everybody in here," Burger stated. "I've had a long and great career and have served with some great Americans."