After an active duty assignment at Eglin AFB, Florida, she set her military career aside and married.  She gave birth to three daughters, who have been her greatest motivation over the years.  They have diligently taken off her boots and endured deployments; wherein, they were displaced from their home temporarily.  COL Kirksey resumed her career in 1981 as a Flight Nurse with the 94th AES, Dobbins AFB, GA.  She flew in the Caribou, C-7 staying in readiness, practicing in simulated patient flights, and later flew in the   C-130 Hercules aircraft for over seven years.  Live aerovac for two years was accomplished at her old stumping ground, Scott AFB, IL, flying high in the C-9 Nightingales, transporting and caring for patients and families intratheater.  She returned to Dobbins ARB for the second time in 1990 until 2003, where she served as a Clinical Nurse, Mental Health Nurse, the USAFR Mental Health Nurse Southwest Regional Representative, Assistant and Chief Nurse among many other jobs.  Her last assignment was served with the Air Force National Security Emergency Preparedness Directorate, Fort McPherson, Georgia, where she served as a state Emergency Preparedness Liaison Officer for Georgia.  Her military education includes Air War College, Air Command and Staff, School of Aerospace Medicine Battlefield Nursing and Nursing Service Management.  COL Kirksey’s major accomplishments include: Reserve Officers Association-Junior, Vice President 1985, Flight Nurse of the Quarter 1985, Outstanding Achievement in Aviation Certificate Recognized by Cathy Cox, Secretary of the State of Georgia, 1999, Tuskegee Airmen Association, Atlanta Chapter Treasurer.  She coordinated Tuskegee Airmen Street Naming Commencement, Dobbins ARB, and the Air Force Academy/ROTC Liaison; recruiters for our future leaders.  Awards and decorations include:  Air Force Commendation 1st device, Air Force Meritorious Service medal, Longevity, Humanitarian Medal, Civil Defense and others.  She truly believes in integrity, service before self and excellence in all endeavors. COL Elfreda Kirksey is the first African-American female to be promoted to the rank of Colonel at Dobbins Air Reserve Base, Georgia.