Major Brendan Burks is a native of Auburn, Alabama and graduated from Notre Dame High School in Chattanooga, Tennessee in 1992. Upon graduation, Brendan enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserves and reported for training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot (MCRD) Parris Island, South Carolina. After completing training at the School of Infantry in Jacksonville, North Carolina he reported to Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 23rd Marine Regiment (L Co. 3/23), 4th Marine Division in Montgomery, Alabama, where he served as a 60mm mortar man. While serving in the reserves, Brendan attended Auburn University where he participated in student government and graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Building Science in 1998.

Brendan was commissioned through the Platoon Leaders Class (PLC) program and reported to The Basic School (TBS) in Quantico, Virginia. Upon completion, he reported to Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola, Florida to begin his primary flight training in the T-34 Turbo Mentor. In November 2000, Brendan reported to Training Squadron 35 (VT-35) at NAS Corpus Christi, Texas to fly the TC-12 Huron. He received his wings of gold in July 2001.

In August 2001, Brendan reported to Marine Aerial Refueling Transport Training Squadron 253 (VMGRT-253) at Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Cherry Point, North Carolina to begin training in the KC-130. While assigned to VMGRT-253, Brendan served as the Legal Officer and Adjutant. He then reported to his first fleet squadron, Marine Aerial Refueling Transport Squadron 152 (VMGR-152), the “Sumos,” at MCAS Futenma, Okinawa, Japan in June 2003. While assigned to the “Sumos,” Brendan served as the Logistics Officer and Flight Duty Officer. During this tour, Brendan deployed as an Individual Augment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom as the U.S. Marine Corps Forces Central Command (MARCENT) Coordination Element, Kuwait, Air Officer. His next assignment came in November 2005, as a staff member for the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing (1st MAW) KC-130J Fleet Introduction Team (JFIT).

Following his first fleet tour, Brendan reported to the Expeditionary Warfare School (EWS) in Quantico, Virginia for Professional Military Education (PME) in August 2006. Upon completion, he served as an Augment Academic Instructor at the Officer Candidate School (OCS) in Quantico, Virginia.

During his time in the fleet, Brendan flew in support of numerous operations and exercises in Portugal, Iceland, Canada, Puerto Rico, Hawaii, Guam, Iwo Jima, Wake Island, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, South Korea, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Sri Lanka and Australia.

Brendan joined the Blue Angels in September 2007. He has accumulated more than 1,400 flight hours. His decorations include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, two Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals, and various personal and unit awards.

NAKHON RATCHAISMA, Thailand - Tech. Sgt. Clarence Jenkins smiles as he greets a student at an elementary school near Korat Royal Air Force Base, Thailand, during a break from Cope Tiger '06 exercises about 110 miles northeast of Bangkok, Feb. 10. Sergeant Jenkins was part of a small contingent of Airmen that delivered needed sports equipment and other supplies to the Ang Huay Yang Elementary School near Korat. Sergeant Jenkins, a flight engineer normally assigned to the 36th Airlift Squadron from Yokota Air Base, Japan, is one of about 300 U.S. military forces participating in Cope Tiger '06. Exercise officials say about 1,300 multi-national forces - including 1,000 Thai and Singaporean forces - are participating in the multi-lateral exercise. Exercise officials say Cope Tiger provides quality air-to-air, air-to-ground and large force employment training for crews in a multi-national environment while expanding the capabilities and readiness of U.S. and allied forces. Cope Tiger '06 is scheduled to end Feb. 18. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Keith Brown)