Warrior of the Week: Senior Airman Kimberly Palacios

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Susan L. Davis
  • 319th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. --  

Rank and name: Senior Airman Kimberly Palacios

Unit: 319th Comptroller Squadron

Duty title: Customer Service Technician

Time in service:  3 years,  3 months

Hometown: El Paso, TX


Why is serving in the Air Force important to you? 

Serving in the Air Force is important to me because it means I'm part of the greatest Air Force in the world. It means I get to keep my family back home safe. Working at finance, you wouldn't really think we are part of keeping America free sitting behind our desks, but we are a big part of funding the fight.

What moment or accomplishment as a Warrior of the North are you most proud of and why?

Within a month of arriving here, an email was sent out for a volunteer opportunity helping pack food for the needy in Crookston, Minn. I was very proud to be able to be part of the Warriors of the North that volunteered to make sure families in need were able to get food delivered to them. 

What is your favorite part of your job?

Being able to help members avoid financial hardship is my favorite part of my job. Knowing a member and his or her family will be able to get through the month comfortably is part of what makes my job meaningful.

Who inspires you and why?

A fellow co-worker I have really inspires me. She's someone I've been looking up to since my last assignment. Being able to see all the great things she does for the Air Force inspires me to be the best I can be and to do the best that I can do. Education is one of her top priorities and she inspires me to become more involved in my academic studies.

What's the first thing that made you think Grand Forks Air Force Base was a cool place other than the temperature or weather?

Being able to work with a few co-workers that used to be stationed with me at my last base was pretty cool. My last base did not do monthly promotion ceremonies as they do here. I think those are really great, showing support to our fellow Warriors of the North. This base also has a few ukulele players which is how I got into playing that awesome instrument.