Engineering, programming prominent in Cuneo’s career

Liz and Jeff Cuneo have been married for 34 years. He retired as Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Air Force. CONTRIBUTED

MADISON – Engineering analysis and computer coding were a sizable component of military service for retired Lieutenant Colonel Jeff Cueno.

“I was commissioned into the U.S. Air Force in 1974 but entered active duty in April 1975. I retired 21 years, one month and 19 days later,” Cuneo said.

Cuneo completed Operational Readiness Training at Vandenberg Air Force Base (AFB), Calif. His first duty station was Whiteman AFB, Mo.

“I spent four years as a Minuteman II combat crew member, as a Deputy Missile Crew Commander, Missile Crew Commander and finally as an Instructor Missile Crew Commander,” Cuneo said. In 1979, he was assigned to Data Automation Directorate, Strategic Air Command Headquarters, Offutt AFB, Neb. as a software programmer.

Eventually, Cuneo became section lead for Strategic Mission Data Preparation System. In 1984, he was assigned as assistant professor of aerospace studies at Detachment 595, North Carolina State University.

In 1987, he moved to Norton AFB, Calif. as Minuteman Chief Engineer. He returned to Offutt AFB as Chief of Electronics Systems Operating Location and managed site activation for an element of Cheyenne Mountain Upgrade and extension of NORAD and USSpace Command from Colorado Springs, Col.

In 1995, Cuneo was working in the Department of Energy, Germantown, Md., overseeing development at three National Nuclear Laboratories. In May 1996, he retired as a Lieutenant Colonel.

Jeff and Liz Cuneo moved to Madison in 2000 for his job with MITRE Corporation to support missile defense programs. “Liz had the opportunity to return to her beloved Alabama,” he said.

He earned a bachelor’s degree at the University of Notre Dame and master’s degrees while at Whiteman AFB and with Johns Hopkins University Whiting School of Engineering.

Jeff and Liz’ daughter Susan and her sons Cruz and Aidan live in Phoenix, Ariz. Their son Scott and his wife Tina of Winchester, Va. have one son, Easton.

Jeff Cuneo now works as a lead systems engineer with MITRE Corporation. He’s a life member of Military Officers Association of America and 20-year member of American Legion. He previously participated in Rotary Club of Madison and Relay for Life.

His hobbies are gardening, working around his house and woodworking.