WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. -- Senior Airman Terrance Burton, 509th Mission Support Group knowledge operations technician and California native, returned from a six-month deployment to Southwest Asia in May.

While he was away from this Air Force Global Strike Command base he conducted information analyses to determine the proper flow and life-cycle management of information.

"My job was to manage enlisted progress reports, decorations, letters of evaluations and Wing level correspondence," said Airman Burton.
In addition, he said he was in charge of in-processing and out-processing all personnel from the base.

"He successfully processed more than 600 personnel and his stellar efforts led to zero delays," said Lt. Col Robert Henderson, 379th Expeditionary Readiness Logistics commander.

During his deployment, he performed not only knowledge operational duties but was also part of the Commander's Support Staff.

"It was a great experience working directly with higher-ranking officers every day," Airman Burton said. "I learned a lot from them."

When he wasn't at work, Airman Burton said he was an active member of the Asian-Pacific American Association where his purpose was to preserve and promote cultural heritage, foster brotherhood and sisterhood and to raise consciousness of helping one another.

"One of our biggest fundraisers was to raise money to help tsunami victims," Airman Burton said. "We wanted to make a difference and help others. We raised more than $1,500 to the relief funds through donations and barbecues.

"It made me value what I do, and how it can affect so many people," he said.
Airman Burton said he had a great time while he was deployed because he saw his direct impact on the mission and made life-long friendships.

"It was the best deployment ever," he said. "It was better than I could've ever asked for. Time went by much faster and sometimes didn't even feel like we were away from home with the friends I made."

He said he has enjoyed his time in the Air Force so much he decided to reenlist while he was in the midst of all the action, where his mission was the clearest.

"I just couldn't picture myself doing anything better than being in the Air Force," Airman Burton said.