JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. –
Senior Airman Katie Gieratz is a member of the 628th Air Base Wing Public Affairs office and has been stationed at Joint Base Charleston for three years. She is currently serving in the Middle East with the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing on her first deployment.
In her deployed unit, Airman Gieratz works as a photographer, who is responsible for documenting the mission, highlighting Airmen and being available to document any damage done to government property.
"A lot of things we do here are not unlike our duties at home station," said Airman Gieratz. "I've covered everything from alert jobs and coin presentations to distinguished visitors in the area of responsibility."
While stationed at Joint Base Charleston, Airman Gieratz works as a photographer for Joint Base Charleston. She documents all aspects of the mission for historic and archival purposes, as well as publication in the base paper and Air Force websites.
"The living arrangements here are obviously a lot different than being home in Charleston," said Airman Gieratz. "I know that it could be a lot worse so I'm making the best of my deployment and trying to experience new things. Here I get to show Airmen in a different light, which is exciting for me."
This "warrior of the week" hails from Altus, Ok., and enlisted in the Air Force in January 2007.
"I have enjoyed my time in the Air Force," Airman Gieratz said. "I've always like interacting with people and with my job I meet new people every day. People like to see themselves in print or on the web, and it gives them an easy way to send stuff home to families to show what they are doing."
Currently, Airman Gieratz's goal is to obtain her degree in psychology and work with children. Aside from working toward her degree, Airman Gieratz loves to work out at the gym and cook.
"Airman Gieratz is great at what she does and is able to put anyone at ease on the other side of the camera lens," said Master Sgt. Cindy Dorfner, 379 AEW Public Affairs noncommissioned officer in charge. "From a group of chief master sergeants hamming it up for the camera to a four-star general, to maintainers on the flightline, she finds a way to get the shot she needs. I'm constantly getting letters of appreciation in her name. I love having Airman Gieratz in our office."