58th SOW Airmen share training, first station

  • Published
  • By Bud Cordova
  • Nucleus writer
KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. --  Two of Team Kirtland's newest Airmen met each other for the first time in the recruiter's office in Orlando, Florida, completed training together and are now assigned to the same duty station.

"Neither I or the first sergeant have heard of something like this happening before, that two people go through training together and then get assigned to the same base," Master Sgt. James Doyle said.

Airmen First Class David Dos Santos and Airmen First Class Caleb Burke went through Basic Military Training and technical school together.

"We were actually roommates in tech school," Dos Santos said.

Both members of the delayed entry program, they left Orlando Nov. 22. For Dos Santos, the program was so he could experience the birth of his son. While for Burke, it was due to him having a broken hand.

They graduated basic Jan. 15, and tech school March 18.

They started duty at Kirtland Air Force Base on April 18.

While Dos Santos and Burke were in basic their wives met for the first time face-to-face in Tampa, Florida.

"Our wives actually became friends and met first," Burke said.

Yolanda Dos Santos and Lina Burke met over the Facebook page "Wing Moms."

When being assigned for duty stations Burke changed his choice to Kirtland, to match that of Dos Santos, so that his wife would have an easier time transitioning to the Air Force.

Now they are neighbors in on-base housing.

The both agreed, that for their wives, knowing someone else new to the Air Force and Kirtland has been a lot of help.

Burke said it gives their wives a chance to go out and explore the base, and surrounding area.

Dos Santos and Burke work at 58th Maintenance Squadron as Armament Airmen, where they maintain weapons systems for aerial gunners.

"We work mainly with gau 2 and gau 18 weapons," Burke said.

Dos Santos said they clean and inspect the weapons systems, to keep them functional for students in training.