Thunderbolt of the Week

Staff Sgt. Jessica Barraza
56th Equipment Maintenance Squadron
Munitions Information Technician
Hometown: Fort Walton Beach, Fla.
Years in service: 10
Family: Husband, Jose; sons, Gabriel, 5 months; and William Holzgartner, 6
Education: Community College of the Air Force associate degree in munitions systems technology
Previous assignments: Hill Air Force Base, Utah; Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea; Kadena AB, Japan
Inspirations: Working mothers who are able to support family without sacrificing career aspirations
Goals: Be promoted, get a bachelor’s in human resources management in four years
Greatest feat: Being a single parent in a foreign country away from family and friends
Self-description: Quiet, head strong, family-oriented
Famous last words: “I know how to do that.”
Off-duty interests: Photography, yoga, raising my kids
Commander’s comments: “Sergeant Barraza is the glue that keeps the munitions flight together and operating smoothly,” said Lt. Col. Christopher Barack, 56th EMS commander. “Enlisted performance reports, decorations, computers, appointment letters, and wing, group and squadron taskers — she literally pushes paperwork in front of the flight and section chiefs to make sure it gets done.”

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Student pilot survives lymphoma, continues dream

Courage! Do you have it?

Changing times add extra stress

308th signs on to clean up