Colonel Eric L. Burke is the Deputy Commander of the 55th Maintenance Group. He leads 1,200 assigned military, civilian and contract maintenance professionals spanning 13 Air Force Specialty Codes, maintaining 27 RC-135 special mission aircraft valued at over $9B. He provides trained personnel and mission ready aircraft in support of seven flying squadrons and all six geographic Combatant Commands with airborne Command and Control, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance platforms supporting the full spectrum of military operations.
Col. Eric Burke earned his commission in 2004 following graduation from Middle Tennessee State University. During his career, Lieutenant Colonel Burke has held a variety of maintenance assignments supporting F-16CM, F-16C, E-8C, C-130H, C-32A, C-40B, C-37, C-20, and UH-1 N aircraft.
EDUCATION
2004 Bachelor of Science, Electro-Mechanical Engineering Technology, Middle Tennessee State University, Murfreesboro, TN
2005 Aircraft Maintenance and Munitions Officer Course, Sheppard AFB, TX
2005 Air and Space Basic Course (ASBC), Maxwell AFB, AL
2010 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, AL
2012 Masters in Aeronautical Science, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
2014 Advanced Maintenance and Munitions Operations School, Nellis AFB, NV
2019 Air Command and Staff College (In-Residence), Maxwell AFB, AL
2021 Air War College (Correspondence), Maxwell AFB, AL
ASSIGNMENTS
1. February 2005 - February 2006, Flight Commander, Sortie Support Flight, 116th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Robins AFB, GA.
2. February 2006 - February 2007, Flight Commander, Specialists Flight, 116th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Robins AFB, GA.
3. February 2007 - July 2007, Flight Commander, Accessories Flight, 116th Maintenance Squadron, Robins AFB, GA.
4. July 2007 - May 2009, Executive Officer, 402d Electronics Maintenance Group, Robins AFB, GA.
5. May 2009- February 2010, Maintenance Operations Officer, 374th Maintenance Squadron, Yokota AB, Japan.
6. February 2010 - February 2011, Officer in Charge, 374th Aircraft Maintenance Unit, 37 4th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Yokota AB, Japan.
7. February 2011 - May 2012, Maintenance Operations Officer, 374th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Yokota AB, Japan.
8. May 2012 - September 2014, Maintenance Operations Officer, 89th Airlift Wing, Joint Base Andrews, MD.
9. September 2014 - June 2015, Maintenance Operations Officer, 811th Operations Group, Joint Base Andrews, MD.
10. June 2015 - May 2016, Chief of Aircraft Maintenance Operations & Programs, Air Force Global Strike Command, Barksdale AFB, LA.
11. May 2016 - March 2017, Branch Chief of Airmen Innovation, Air Force Global Strike Command, Barksdale AFB, LA.
12. April 2017 - June 2018, Flight Commander, 31st Student Squadron, Maxwell AFB, AL.
13. July 2018 - June 2019, Student, Air Command Staff College, Maxwell AFB, AL.
14. June 2019 -June 2021, Commander, 52d MXS, Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany.
15. July 2021 - June 2023, Commander, 55th AMXS, Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska.
16. July 2023 - July 2024, Deputy Commander, 8th Maintenance Group, Kunsan AB, ROK
17. July 2024 - May 2026, Deputy Commander, 55th Maintenance Group, Offutt AFB, Nebraska
17. May 2026 - Present, Commander, 55th Maintenance Group, Offutt AFB, Nebraska
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Meritorious Service Medal with six oak leaf clusters
Air and Space Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster
Air and Space Achievement Medal
Air and Space Recognition Ribbon
National Defense Service Medal
Afghanistan Campaign Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Korea Defense Service Medal
Humanitarian Service Medal
Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal
NATO Medal
(Current as of May 2026)