Iceman in Action: Airman 1st Class Gisel Partida

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Isaac Johnson
  • 354th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska --  Rank and Name: Airman 1st Class Gisel Partida

Duty Title: 354th Logistics Readiness Squadron individual protective equipment journeyman 

Hometown: Rialto, California 

Why is serving in the Air Force important to you? Being a first-generation Mexican-American, it felt right to join the Air Force to serve my country, which is a great country that has afforded me opportunities that I would never been able to take advantage of if I was in my parent's native land. Moreover, I want to be part of a team that has a large footprint in the world and be able to say I did something worth doing. 
What moment or accomplishment as a member of the Iceman Team are you most proud of and why? Being a member of the 354th LRS is an accomplishment in itself. My team and I won the 11th Air Force Department of Defense 2017 award for supply chain excellence. This was a huge accomplishment for us all and it makes me proud that we directly support the Iceman Team during readiness exercises, live-fire training, and real world deployments. We strive to ensure a constant state of readiness by equipping the Iceman team with the individual protective gear they require, from M50 gas masks, chemical suits, sleeping systems, and weapons.  

What is your favorite part of your job? My favorite part of my job is interacting with customers! It allows me to hear stories from when they go on deployments and TDY's. I also enjoy hearing about other career fields, what they do, and how they contribute to the Air Force mission. 

Who inspires you and why? My father is my inspiration; he has overcome his fair share of obstacles in life and has remained optimistic. He instilled in me and my siblings a strong work ethic and the importance of taking initiative. I have my father to thank for my problem-solving skills, dedication, and my determination to get things done. He has been my biggest supporter and always encourages me to accomplish what I set out to do. 

What's your favorite part about being in Alaska? My favorite part about being in Alaska is that there is always a new place to discover. I enjoy the long drives and nature sightseeing. My first year here, I drove to the Arctic Circle and this year I plan to visit Barrow. I am anxiously waiting for the snow to melt and warmer temperatures so I can continue to explore all that Alaska has to offer!