Lab chief celebrated for 60 years of service Published June 26, 2015 By John Parker Staff Writer TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- Physical Sciences Laboratories Chief Richard L. Shirley was honored June 15 for 60 years of federal service. Brig. Gen. Mark Johnson, commander of the Oklahoma City Air Logistics Complex, presented a service certificate to Mr. Shirley at a reception in Bldg. 3001. The general called Mr. Shirley a "national treasure" and hero. "I want to tell you how much we appreciate your service, how much we appreciate your family's service and thank you for making a difference for our United States Air Force," General Johnson said. Mr. Shirley started his Air Force career as an enlisted jet engine mechanic in 1950, when the Air Force was 3 years old, General Johnson noted. Taking advantage of the GI Bill, Mr. Shirley later earned a mechanical engineering degree from Texas Tech University and a master's degree in industrial engineering from the University of Oklahoma. Mr. Shirley's federal service anniversary is June 15, 1955. Mr. Shirley has worked as a project engineer on the J79 jet engine. He worked with Lockheed-Martin engineers on MADARS, a malfunction detector for C-5 Galaxy engines, and which was later brought in-house to Tinker. In the early 1980s, Mr. Shirley was the Tinker program manager for the team that developed and implemented the Comprehensive Engine Management System, which is still in use. He also served as a branch chief in the Operations Branch of the E-3 AWACS Systems Support Management Division. Mr. Shirley became the Physical Sciences lab chief in 1997. Mr. Shirley was given a standing ovation at the ceremony, attended by his wife, Joretta, and other family members. Mr. Shirley said he was thankful for the recognition and credited support he received from others for his success. "Over the years I've had great support, especially from my wife," Mr. Shirley said. "She had to iron at least thousands of white shirts, made thousands of salads for my lunch. She was always there encouraging me when I hit a low spot. So thank you, Joretta, for all those years of support." He also thanked management and co-workers over the years for their support. "I think I was very fortunate that I got to move around a little bit and get involved in a number of different programs over the years," Mr. Shirley said. The labs he oversees aid multiple resources at Tinker, including engines, commodities and aircraft. "With great support from our management, we've been able to get state-of-the-art equipment in our labs," Mr. Shirley said. "I'd stack up our scientists, engineers and technicians ... with anybody because they're a great bunch. "It never ceases to amaze me with some of the things we can do for our customers in the labs. That's really what keeps me coming back every day."