Col Gene C. Buckner serves as Vice Wing Commander, 151st Air Refueling Wing, Utah Air National Guard Base, Salt Lake City Utah. His broad range of responsibilities include ensuring combat readiness and mission capability of the 151st Air Refueling Wing flying mission, three tenant units; the 109th Air Control Squadron, the 130th Engineering Installation Squadron, the 151st Intelligence Reconnaissance Surveillance Group, and the newly assigned KC-135 Test Detachment. He assists the Wing Commander in ensuring readiness and complying with and enforcing federal/state regulations pertaining to operations, property, personnel and equipment.
Col Buckner began his career with the Utah Air National Guard in 1993. Col Buckner earned his commission through the Air National Guard’s Academy of Military Science in 1999. Col Buckner has worked in multiple positions as a title 32 federal technician at the Utah Air National Guard since being hired in 1996. During this time Col Buckner has served as the 151st Mission Support Group Commander, the 130th Engineering Installation Squadron Commander, the 151st Inspector General, the 151st Civil Engineering Squadron Commander, and the 151st Services Flight Commander. Prior to his current position, the Col was the 151st Mission Support Group Commander, at the Utah Air National Guard Base, Salt Lake City Utah.
EDUCATION
1996 Associate of Science in Environmental Science, Utah Valley University, Orem Ut.
1996 Associate of Science in Bioenvironmental Engineering Technology, Community College of the Air Force, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.
1997 Bachelor of Science Degree in Environmental Science, Utah Valley University, Orem Ut.
2007 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2009 Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2011 Air National Guard Intermediate Development Course, Air National Guard Readiness Center, Joint Base Andrews, Md.
2013 Master of Science Degree in Organizational Leadership, Argosy University, Salt Lake City, Ut.
2016 Air War College, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2018 Air National Guard Commanders Development Course, Air National Guard Readiness Center, Joint Base Andrews Md.
2018 Advanced Nuclear Concepts Course (Nuclear 300), The Nuclear College, AFIT, Kirtland AFB Nm.
ASSIGNMENTS
1. June 1999 - October 1999, HQ Executive Officer, State Head Quarters, Salt Lake City, Utah
2. October 1999 – July 2000, Personnel Programs Officer, 151st Military Personnel Flight, Salt Lake City, Utah
3. July 2000 – Dec 2002, Personnel Actions Officer, 151st Military Personnel Flight, Salt Lake City, Utah
4. December 2002 - May 2003, Personnel Programs Officer, 151st Military Personnel Flight, Salt Lake City, Utah
5. May 2003 –July 2008, Commander, 151st Service Flight, Salt Lake City, Utah
6. July 2008 – February 2010. Communications and Information Officer, 130th Engineering Installation Squadron, Salt Lake City, Utah.
7. February 2010 – August 2012, Detachment Commander, 130th Engineering Installation Squadron, Salt Lake City, Utah
8. August 2012 – January 2013, Executive Officer, 130th Engineering Installation Squadron, Salt Lake City, Utah
9. January 2013 – October 2013. Executive Officer, 151st Mission Support Group, Salt Lake City, Utah
10. October 2013 - February 2014, Commander, 151st Civil Engineering Squadron, Salt Lake City, Utah.
11. February 2014 - October 2016, Inspector General, 151st Air Refueling Wing Inspector General, Salt Lake City, Utah.
12. October 2016 - November 2017, Commander, 130th Engineering Installation Squadron, , Salt Lake City, Utah
13. November 2017 - October 2018, Group Commander, 151st Mission Support Group, Salt Lake City, Utah
14. October 2018 – Current, Vice Wing Commander, 151st Air Refueling Wing. Salt Lake City, Utah
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Meritorious Service Medal, oak leaf cluster
Air Force Commendation Medal, two oak leaf cluster
Air Force Achievement Medal, oak leaf cluster
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, two oak leaf clusters
Air Reserve Forces Meritorious Service Medal oak leaf clusters
National Defense Service Medal, oak leaf cluster
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal
Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon w/ gold border, oak leaf cluster
Air Force Longevity Service, 6 oak leaf clusters
Armed Forces Reserve Medal with two “M” devices and silver hour glass
Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon with device
Air Force Training Ribbon, oak leaf cluster
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant June 18, 1999
First Lieutenant June 18, 2001
Captain June 18, 2003
Major July 15, 2007
Lieutenant Colonel, January 16, 2014
Colonel June 28, 2018