Command Chief Whitenburg Retires After 33 Years of Service

  • Published
  • By Capt. Shane Huff
  • 927 Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs Office
MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  Command Chief Master Sergeant Clifford W. J. Whitenburg had his retirement ceremony Sunday commemorating 33 years of Air Force service.  Chief Whitenburg was joined by family, friends, and fellow service members of the 927th Air Refueling Wing to remember his Air Force career. 

Whitenburg was born in Monroe, Michigan. He enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1976 and graduated from Bedford High School in 1977.   After completing basic training at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, and aircraft maintenance training at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas, he was assigned to 317th Organizational Maintenance Squadron, Pope Air Force Base, North Carolina, as a C-130E crew chief.

In September 1981, Whitenburg transferred to the Air Force Reserve with the 931st Air Refueling Squadron at Grissom Air Force Base, Indiana, as a KC-135A crew chief.  He transferred to the 928th Consolidated Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Chicago O'Hare IAP, Illinois, as a C-130A/H crew chief in December 1982.  In 1989 he transferred to the 927th Consolidated Aircraft Maintenance Squadron as a C-130E crew chief and later to the Aircraft Maintenance Squadron as a KC-135E and KC-135R aircraft production supervisor. In 1999, he assumed the duties as 927th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron specialist flight chief. He was promoted to Chief Master Sergeant on November 1, 1999 and assumed duties as the 927th Air Refueling Wing Command Chief Master Sergeant in February, 2006.  

During his retirement speech Whitenburg paid homeage to spouses as the real hereos on the homefront as they take care of our families while we as warfighters are away on missions. "It's the families that sacrifice the special moments in their lives such as birthdays, anniversaries, sporting events, homecomings, camp outs, vacations, weddings, and other family gatherings so that we can be away from the home front to defend the country", said Whitenburg. "When you stop and think about it, the traditional reservist has the easiest and more fun part of the deal compared to our families."  He thanked his wife and children for all of their loving support throughout the years, and recognized close friends and co-workers for their friendship and mentorship along the way.