Colonel Lisa Kirk is the Vice Wing Commander, 145th Airlift Wing, Charlotte ANGB, North Carolina. She aids in administrative oversight and coordination of the activities of 4 Groups consisting of 17 Squadrons and Flights. She assists in policy guidance, programs, and plans necessary to organize, train, equip, and maintain the combat readiness of over 1400 airmen and (8) C-17 aircraft worth $2.4B. The 145th Airlift Wing provides strategic and tactical airlift in support of worldwide mobility and combat operations, as well as defense support of civil authorities for the state and the nation.
Colonel Kirk joined the United States Air Force in 1987 and was a Supply Specialist serving at Plattsburgh Air Force Base, New York. She Palace Chased to the Vermont Air National Guard in 1989 as a traditional Guardsman while pursuing her career in nursing. She joined the North Carolina Air National Guard in 1991. Colonel Kirk received her commission as a Second Lieutenant through the Academy of Military Science in 2000 and served as the Wing’s Installation Deployment Officer over & during 9/11. Since that time she has gone on to serve as the Military Personnel Management Officer in the North Carolina National Guard Joint Force Headquarters; Director of Personnel, 145th Force Support Squadron; Executive Officer, 145th Airlift Wing; Commander, 145th Force Support Squadron; Commander, 145th Logistics Readiness Squadron and most recently served as the Chief, Force Management Division, NGB/A1P, Air National Guard Readiness Center.
Colonel Kirk deployed to Bagram AB, Afghanistan in 2016 and served as the Deputy Commander for the 955th Air Expeditionary Squadron, AFCENT’s largest and most diverse Squadron. There she was charged with the Administrative Control of 900+ Joint Expeditionary Tasked and Individual Augmentee Airmen spread throughout 19 Forward Operating Bases and 252K square miles of the Afghanistan AOR.
EDUCATION
1998 Bachelor of Science in Business Management: Pfeiffer University, Charlotte NC
2008 Squadron Officer School
2012 Air Command and Staff College
2016 Air War College
ASSIGNMENTS
2000-2004 Logistics Plans Officer, Charlotte, North Carolina
2004-2005 Human Resources Specialist, Raleigh, North Carolina
2005-2007 Personnel Officer, Charlotte, North Carolina
2007-2012 Executive Officer, Charlotte, North Carolina
2012-2016 Commander, 145th Force Support Squadron
2017-2020 Commander, 145th Logistics Readiness Squadron
2020-2023 Chief, Force Management Division, NGB
2023-Present Vice Wing Commander, 145th Airlift Wing
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Meritorious Service Medal with 3 devices
Air Force Commendation Medal with 1 device
Air Force Achievement Medal
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award
Air Reserve Forces Meritorious Service Medal with 2 devices
National Defense Service Medal with 1 device
Afghanistan Campaign Medal with 1 device
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon with Gold Border Air
Force Longevity Service Medal with 6 devices Armed Forces
Reserve Medal with “M” and 2 devices Small Arms Expert
Marksmanship Ribbon with 1 device
Air Force Training Ribbon with 1 device
NATO Medal
STATE AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
North Carolina National Guard Meritorious Service
Medal North Carolina National Guard Achievement
Medal North Carolina Adjutant General Impact Ribbon
Louisiana Emergency Service Medal
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant, May 2000
First Lieutenant, May 2002
Captain, May 2004
Major, June 2008
Lt Col, March 2013
Colonel, June 2020
(Current as of April 2023)