Colonel R.A. “Tony” Burris is Director of Communications
and Cyber Forces, Continental U.S. North American Aerospace Defense Command Region - 1st Air Force (Air Forces Northern), Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida. Colonel Burris oversees communications and cyber forces integrated into and supporting four direct reporting units, 10 aligned Air National Guard units, and a large number of active air defense alert sites--including aircraft, air defense artillery, and up to 15,000 active duty, National Guard, Air Force Reserve and civilian personnel. First Air Force falls under Air Combat Command and is responsible for the operational readiness of assigned and attached U.S. Air Force forces. As the Director of Communications and Cyber Forces Colonel Burris integrates cyber operations and defense into contingency plans supporting full-spectrum operations and defense U.S. Air Force air and space operations in CONUS, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, as well as over the maritime approaches to the U.S. He is responsible for translating and navigating the cyber centric requirements
through policy guidance, program and resource allocation consistent with Homeland Defense, Defense Support to Civil Authorities, and Theater Security Cooperation mission areas.
Col Burris received his commission in 1993 from the Academy of Military Science. He has
served in pivotal leadership positions at the tactical, operational, and strategic levels, and led
critical, enabling operations for the warfighter across MAJCOM, COCOM, and interagencies in
cyberspace. Prior to assuming his current position, Colonel Burris was the Air National Guard Advisor to the Commander 24th Air Force, Air Forces Cyber, Joint Force Headquarters-Cyber, Joint Base Lackland, San Antonio Texas.
EDUCATION
1991 Bachelor of Science degree in business administration/computer science, University of
New Orleans, La.
1993 Academy of Military Science, McGhee-Tyson ANGB, Tenn.
2001 Squadron Officers School, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2004 Air Command and Staff College, by correspondence
2010 Air War College, Maxwell AFB, Ala
2010 Masters of Strategic Studies,
ASSIGNMENTS
1. February 1993 - October 1993, Management and Systems Officer, 159 Logistics Squadron, NAS
New Orleans, La.
2. October 1993 – March 1999, Commander, 159 Communications Flight, NAS New Orleans, La.
3. March 1999 – October 1999, Commander, 159 Security Forces Squadron, NAS New Orleans, La.
4. October 1999 – June 2000, Chief, Studies & Architecture, AFNORTH, Tyndall AFB, Fla.
5. June 2000 – June 2001, Chief, Commercial Communications, AFNORTH, Tyndall AFB, Fla.
6. June 2001 – June 2002, Chief, C4I Branch, AFNORTH, Tyndall AFB, Fla.
7. June 2002 – July 2003, Chief, Commercial Communications, AFNORTH, Tyndall AFB, Fla.
8. July 2003 – April 2004, Chief, Plans and Resources, AFNORTH Tyndall AFB, Fla.
9. April 2004 – January 2007, OIC, Resources, AFNORTH, Tyndall AFB, Fla.
10. January2007–August 2007, Chief, Mission Systems, AFNORTH, Tyndall AFB, Fla.
11. August 2007 – July 2009, Chief, Plans, Requirements, & Msn Sys, AFNORTH, Tyndall AFB, Fl.
12. July 2009 – June 2010, Student, Air War College, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
13. July 2010 – July 2011, Chief, Programs, Budget, and Execution, Air National Guard
Readiness Center, JB Andrews, Md.
14. July 2011 – March 2012, Chief, Cyber Capabilities and Integration Division, Air National Guard
Readiness Center, JB Andrews, Md.
15. March 2012 – July 2012, Chief, Cyber Policy, Plans, and Resources Division, Air National Guard
Readiness Center, JB Andrews, Md.
16. July 2012 – Feb 2013, Deputy Director, Communications, Air National Guard Readiness Center,
JB Andrews, Md.
17. Mar 2013 – Jun 2014, ANG Advisor to the Commander 24th Air Force, HQ 24th Air Force, JB
Lackland, Tx
18. Jun 2014 – Present, Director Communications and Cyber Forces, 1Air Force (AFNORTH), and Commander, Continental U.S. North American Aerospace Defense Command Region, Tyndall AFB, Fl
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Air Force Commendation Medal
Air Force Achievement Medal
Army Achievement Medal
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with two oak leaf clusters
Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Armed Forces Reserve Medal
Humanitarian Service Medal
Sea Service Deployment Ribbon
Air Force Longevity Service Award with three oak leaf clusters
Air Force Training Ribbon
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant Feb. 11, 1993
First Lieutenant Feb. 11, 1996
Captain Feb. 11, 1998
Major March 12, 2002
Lieutenant Colonel Aug. 30, 2007
Colonel, Jan 1, 2013
(Current as of March 2013)