Warrior of the Week: Staff Sgt. James Smith

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Rachel Waller
  • 319th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. --  Staff Sgt. James Smith, 319th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, always knew he wanted to work on airplanes.

"Working in aircraft electrical and environmental systems is exactly what I wanted to do before I joined the Air Force," said Sergeant Smith. "I work with anything from power generation to power distribution to environmental systems like air distribution or air pressurization."

Sergeant Smith said he was considering going to college to study avionics to start a career similar to his Air Force specialty code.

"I was thinking about going to college for my current career but this opportunity presented itself," said the Tulsa, Okla., native. "My father and uncle were both in the military and told me about the military. One of the main reasons why I joined the Air Force was to work on airplanes."

Since joining the Air Force in December of 2000, Sergeant Smith said he has been stationed at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M.; Kunsan Air Base, Korea; Royal Air Force Mildenhall, England; and here. Sergeant Smith said he is looking forward to moving to a new base next week.

"I will be transferring to Moody Air Force Base, Ga.," said Sergeant Smith. "I bought a house down in Georgia and I am excited to fix it up."

When Sergeant Smith isn't at work, he said he spends his free time with his wife as well as repairing broken electronic devices.

"My wife recently got into horseback riding so I am helping her learn how to ride," said Sergeant Smith. "Currently, my wife and I are breaking a young horse to train for barrel racing. I also help my wife train therapy dogs."

In the future, Sergeant Smith said he plans on retiring from the Air Force and get a civilian job in this sector or become a teacher.

"I think it would be really cool to be a science teacher," said Sergeant Smith.