Col. Matthew J. Burger takes command of the 349th

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Cindy Alejandrez
  • 349th Air Mobility Wing
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  Col. Matthew J. Burger assumed command of the 349th Air Mobility Wing, replacing Brig. Gen. John C. Flournoy Jr., during a Change of Command ceremony here, on Jan. 27.
Burger began his Air Force career 23 years ago, and has deployed multiple times in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Southern Watch. He also served in support of the Hurricane Katrina rescue efforts in which he was credited in saving more than 200 people.
Maj. Gen. Mark A. Kyle, Commander of the 4th Air Force, Air Force Reserve Command, March Air Reserve Base, Calif., said "Matt Burger (was) the best operations group commander in the 4th Air Force, period. He (was) next on my list to be a wing commander and that was opening here. He is a superstar... I needed the best guy out there and that's why I picked him."
"I can't think of a more qualified officer, aviator and family man to take this role," added Flournoy.
Burger who was previously the 349th Operations Group Commander, explained that he is ready and enthusiastic to command the 349th AMW because they "are the best group in the world."
The 349th AMW is the largest Reserve associate wing in the Air Force. The unit provides aerial support through the C-5 Galaxy, KC-10 Extender, and the C-17 Globemaster III which provide medical evacuation and aerial refueling around the world, among other services.
Flournoy heads to Buckley Air Force Base, Colo., to serve as the Commander of the Headquarters Air Reserve Personnel Center.
Kyle praised Flournoy for his time as a wing commander and said "I don't have a better out front leader than Jay Flournoy... thank you for what you have done here and I wish you the best in everything you do."