349th Wing Commander names 33-year Travis veteran acting 349th Command Chief

  • Published
  • By Lt. Col. Robert Couse-Baker
  • 349th Public Affairs
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  Chief Master Sgt. Terry L. Kirkbride, 349th Maintenance Squadron Superintendent, is the acting 349th Air Mobility Wing Command Chief Master Sergeant, after the selection of the former command chief, Chief Master Sgt. Kathleen Buckner to the top enlisted position in the Air Force Reserve Command.

Kirkbride is a full-time Air Reserve Technician and has served at Travis Air Force Base for more than 33 years. A native Californian, he joined the active Air Force in 1978 and was assigned as an apprentice maintainer working on the C-5 and C-141A aircraft. After his active duty tour, Kirkbride joined the Air Force Reserve. He served as a traditional Reservist while working in civilian life as a Sacramento County Sheriff's deputy. The Chief was hired here as an ART in the maintenance community shortly before the first Gulf War.

"Our Airmen have a challenging job balancing the many demands of military and family life," Kirkbride said. "My objective is to help our people find that balance and reach their full potential."