Warrior of the Week: Senior Airman JR Robbins

  • Published
  • By Tim Flack
  • 319th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. --  Senior Airman JR Robbins knows that he'll have a great story for his kids one day in the future.

After all, how many people meet and fall in love with their spouse while deployed to Iraq?

Robbins, who works base defense operations for the 319th Security Forces Squadron here, met his wife-to-be, Ashley, while they were both deployed. Ashley, who's eight months pregnant, is a Senior Airman currently stationed at Hanscom Air Force Base, Mass.

Robbins, 24, hopes they can be stationed together in the future, but knows how difficult raising a family can be while serving your country.

"My family was always military," said Robbins. His grandfather was in the Army Air Corps and his father served a career in the Army. Robbins grew up in the life of a military brat, including a tour to South Korea, but calls St. Robert, Mo., home.

His parents gave them advice for making a military marriage work, telling the young couple to, "Just hang in there," Robbins said during a break while on duty at Cavalier Air Station, about a 90-minute drive from Grand Forks.

Robbins spends four days at a time at Cavalier with his 12-man element, working base security. It's the same duty he performed during both tours to Iraq, where "I got a lot of my experience," he said.

Even though Cavalier is remote and a bit Spartan, Robbins likes it.

"It's a really good gig," Robbins said. The Airmen have a bowling alley, community center and gym to stay busy during off-duty hours.

Before joining the Air Force, Robbins gave college a shot.

"I bounced around a lot of majors," he joked. When he decided to join the military, he knew what job he wanted.

"I was interested in law enforcement," he said. Growing up in the Army environment, he had seen military police at work on various bases.

Robbins has excelled, and was named "Top Cop of the Month" recently for his work at Cavalier. He says he likes the camaraderie of his team.

He also has a good sense of humor. When asked what members of his team might not know about him, he's quick to answer: "I take my hair very seriously!"

Robbins is also looking forward to bringing his family together again.

"I love my wife," he said.