Colonel Karen K. Shook is the Commander of the 145th Maintenance Group, Charlotte ANGB, North Carolina. As commander, she directs and coordinates the activities of over 227 personnel assigned to the Maintenance Group, Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Maintenance Squadron, and Maintenance Operations Flight to provide total maintenance and support for 8 assigned C-17A Globemaster III aircraft and support equipment valued at over $2.8 billion. She is responsible for the combat readiness of assigned units by providing the necessary training, equipment, supplies, and facilities.
Colonel Shook enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1991 and served as a Non-Destructive Inspections Specialist at Beale Air Force Base, California. She then served in the United States Air Force Reserves at Patrick Air Force Base, Florida prior to joining the North Carolina Air National Guard. She was commissioned at the Academy of Military Science in 2002 after graduating from the University of Florida and Appalachian State University. Colonel Shook has held various positions within the Operations, Maintenance, and Support Groups to include Executive Officer, Installation Deployment Officer, Commander of the Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, and Commander of the Maintenance Squadron. Prior to her current assignment, Colonel Shook was the Inspector General for the 145th Airlift Wing where she effectively led the Airmen assigned to the Wing and Geographically Separated Units through two successful Air Mobility Command inspections.
She has deployed in support of Operations NORTHERN WATCH, JOINT FORGE, CORONET OAK, and Modular Airborne Fire Fighting Systems operations.
EDUCATION
1992 Apprentice Non-Destructive Inspections Specialist Course, Chanute AFB, Rantoul, Ill.
1996 Honor Graduate, Operations Resource Management Systems Apprentice Course, Keesler AFB, Miss.
1997 Bachelor of Arts, Communication Disorders, University of Florida, Gainesville
2000 Master of Arts, Communication Disorders, Appalachian State University, Boone, N.C.
2002 Academy of Military Science, McGhee-Tyson ANGB, Knoxville, Tenn.
2003 Basic Personnel Officer Course, Keesler AFB, Miss.
2005 AMC Airlift Load Planners Course
2006 Logistics Readiness Officer Course, Lackland AFB, Texas
2008 Deliberate and Crisis Action Planning Execution Segments Course, Keesler AFB, Miss.
2009 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2014 National Guard Bureau Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Coordinator Course
2014 Air Command and Staff College, by correspondence
2014 Accelerated Aircraft Maintenance Officer Course, Sheppard AFB, Texas
2018 C-17A Gen Aircraft Systems Familiarization Course
2018 Aircraft Mishap Investigation Course, Kirtland AFB, N.M.
2020 Air War Collage, by correspondence
2021 IGTC Inspector General Training Course, Kirtland AFB, N.M.
2021 Inspector General Training Course- Complaints Resolution, Leesburg, Va.
ASSIGNMENTS
1. June 1992 - October 1994, Non-Destructive Inspection Specialist, 9th Maintenance Squadron, Beale AFB, CA
2. November 1994 - October 1998 Operations Resource Manager, 301st Rescue Squadron, Patrick AFB, Fla.
3. October 1998 - April 2002, Operations Resource Manager, 156th Airlift Squadron,
Charlotte ANGB, N.C.
4. April 2002 - April 2005, Executive Officer, 145th Operations Group, Charlotte ANGB, N.C.
5. April 2005 - February 2014, Installation Deployment Officer, 145th Logistics Readiness Squadron, Charlotte ANGB, N.C.
6. February 2014 - November 2014, Maintenance Officer, 145th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Charlotte ANGB, N.C.
7. November 2014 - April 2017, Commander, 145th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron,
Charlotte ANGB, N.C.
8. May 2017 - May 2021, Commander, 145th Maintenance Squadron, Charlotte ANGB, N.C.
9. June 2021 - September 2022, Inspector General, 145th Airlift Wing, Charlotte ANGB, N.C.
10. September 2022 - Present, Commander, 145th Maintenance Group, Charlotte ANGB, N.C.
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf cluster
Air and Space Achievement Medal with one oak leaf cluster
Meritorious Unit Award
Air and Space Outstanding Unit Award
AF Good Conduct Medal with one oak leaf cluster
Air Reserve Forces Meritorious Service Medal with eight oak leaf clusters
National Defense Service Medal with bronze star
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal
Air and Space Longevity Service with seven oak leaf clusters
Armed Forces Reserve Medal with one “M” device
Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon (Pistol)
Air and Space Training Ribbon