Lt Col Joseph J. Muhlberger, USAF (Retired) left his hometown of Schenectady, New York and began his federal service through the United States Air Force in 1984.  In that time he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Industrial Technology from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale and a Masters of Science Degree in Aeronautics from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.  He spent 19 years assigned in Europe including England, Belgium, Germany, and Turkey.  His 36 year career touched all seven continents whether for combat, humanitarian aid, or sustainment of operational missions, he held four commands, had five post-9/11 deployments including two tours in Iraq where he came under enemy fire over 300 times, taught German at our nation’s Air Force Academy, and became a Joint Qualified Officer having served tours with NATO, special operations forces, and the Department of Defense.