LAUGHLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- From the outside looking in, some people might be surprised to discover that the U.S. armed forces works hand in hand with civilian counter parts on a day to day basis.
For the Air Force, civilian counterparts are a part of the team and an invaluable asset that Airmen depend on.
Christina Corona-Cerda, 47th Force Support Squadron waitress and cashier at Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas, describes her role as an Air Force civilian as a way of giving back to a community that she loves.
“I love taking care of my pilots,” said Corona-Cerda. “It’s a really cool thing to be able to be a part of the beginning of their careers.”
She said that she wanted to become a part of Team XL when her husband joined the team as an aircraft maintainer here.
“I’m the kind of person that can’t sit still,” she said, laughing. “Working here at Silver Wings lets me get out and interact more."
According to the Air Force Civilian Service, the Air Force currently employs approximately 180,000 civilians, and Christina said she’s grateful to be one of them.
“I love this job,” said Corona-Cerda. “I love watching the pilots go through their course and once they graduate I get to be there, too. Even if I won the lottery, I’d still come back to work.”