Captain Donald S. Burke, son of Lynn Burke and the late Herbert

Burke of Millen, has a distinguished military record.

He has served for over 23 years in the U. S. Air

Force having led

and participated in a variety of assignments. In his first assignment as an office, Lt. Burke led 48 officers, enlisted and civilian personnel directing mobilization efforts for the U.S. Air Force's only Combat Search and Rescue Wing for exercise and contingency operations. Captain Burke was then assigned to the Air Mobility Command's primary west coast aerial port, supporting seven major commands, Department of Homeland Defense and all departments of defense services as the Combat Readiness and Resources Flight Commander for the 60th Aerial Port Squadron.

Captain Burke was then assigned as the Commander of the Aerial Port Flight for the 573rd Global Support Squadron where he supervised scheduled and equipped 104 aerial port personnel to maintain a 12-hour alert posture to expand the AMC's en route structure.

Captain Burke currently serves as the Commander, Det 1 735th Air Mobility Support Squadron at Richmond RAAF, Australia. He is the only active duty mobility officer in Australia representing the U.S. Air Force.

Honors and awards received by Captain Burke include: USAF Meritorious Service Medal-Operation Enduring Freedom, USAF Commendation Medal-five time recipient, 347th Rescue Wing Logistics Readiness 2004 Officer of the Year, 573d Global Support Squadron Company Grade 2007 Officer of the Year, 615th Contingency Operations Support Group Lance P. Sijan Award nominee for Outstanding Leadership-2007, Squadron Company Grade Officer of the Quarter-five time recipient, Gifted Lieutenant with superior leadership skills-Commander 347th Mission Support Group, and My best and brightest captain-Commander 573d Global Support Squadron.

Captain Burke has a bachelor of science degree in Workforce Education and Development, and master's of Business Administration degree in Logistics Management. Even while managing a very busy military career, Captain Burke continues to be a strong pillar in his community, consistently finding the time to give children a positive role model.