CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. –
Airman 1st Class Sarah Strasen is a member of the 437th Operations Support Squadron and has been stationed at Charleston AFB since 2007.
She is currently deployed with the 447th Air Expeditionary Group to Sather Air Base in Baghdad, Iraq, where she recently had the opportunity to experience a visit from President Barack Obama.
She said performing the runway sweep for the President was extremely rewarding and felt even more proud to take part as a member of the armed forces.
When home at Charleston AFB, Airman Strasen works as an airfield management operations coordinator and is responsible for monitoring and coordinating airfield and aircraft activities, conducting airfield checks, as well as providing transient aircrew and aircraft support to include processing Prior Permission Required requests. Airman Strasen is also responsible for coordinating aircraft parking areas and providing briefings to base and transient aircrews on relevant airfield operations, construction projects, as well as airfield closures and restrictions.
According to Airman Strasen, what she likes best about her job is no two days are ever the same. She meets wonderful people such as distinguished visitors, pilots and military officials. She is also able to assist with mission planning and preparation by filing flight plans and monitoring both inbound and outbound aircraft.
Airman Stasen's future goal is to obtain a degree in aviation management.
While deployed, Airman Strasen volunteered to serve as the primary coordinator for the Maleef Program where U.S. military personnel visit with sheikhs to exchange cultural experience and promote cultural understanding. This program has been extremely rewarding for numerous military personnel, enabling them to learn about the Iraqi culture first hand and promote American culture as well. This program has grown from an informal meeting for cultural exchange to a biweekly event involving up to 50 U.S. military personnel and Iraqi civilians.
Airman Strasen contributes to Team Charleston's mobility operations by putting the mission first. It is her job to ensure the airfield remains safe and operational for all aircraft and personnel; without safe airfields, missions could become delayed, which overall delays taking the fight to the enemy. As she continues to perform her duties with pride and precision, she knows lives are being saved somewhere in the world.