St. Croix Guard officer earns lieutenant colonel rank

The U.S. Virgin Islands Air National Guard announced Thursday that Major Raymond Burton has been elevated to the rank of lieutenant colonel, recognizing his leadership and professional accomplishments.

A pinning ceremony took place Sunday at the St. Croix Air National Guard Station, with Brigadier General Sally Petty, the VING's assistant adjutant general, presiding over the event. Burton's wife Andrea and their two children participated in the rank change.

Burton currently directs the 285th Civil Engineer Squadron at the St. Croix station, where his duties encompass training and equipping airmen for both domestic and wartime operations, as well as managing airbase infrastructure.

The VING characterized his advancement as "a significant milestone in a career characterized by technical excellence, operational leadership, and steadfast service to the Air National Guard and the people of the U.S. Virgin Islands."

After receiving his commission through the Academy of Military Science in 2012, Burton accumulated more than a decade of assignments in engineering and command positions. His deployments included roles as flight commander with the 407th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Flight at Al Jaber Air Base in Kuwait and with the 378th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron at Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia. His military decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters and the Air Force Achievement Medal. While deployed to Kuwait, he earned Company Grade Officer of the Quarter; in Saudi Arabia, he received Field Grade Officer of the Quarter.

Brigadier General Petty remarked: "Lt. Col. Burton's expertise and professionalism continue to provide excellent leadership to the 285th Squadron."

Burton holds a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University and a master's degree in public administration from the University of the Virgin Islands. He is a licensed professional engineer in the territory. Before joining the Air National Guard, he spent 15 years at the Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority working on utility infrastructure. He currently sits on the Virgin Islands Board of Architects, Engineers, and Land Surveyors and belongs to the National Society of Professional Engineers.