Warrior of the Week: Capt. Chris Ordoñez

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Luis Loza Gutierrez
  • 319th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. --  

Rank and name: Capt. Chris Ordoñez

Unit: 319th Medical Support Squardon

Duty title: Laboratory Flight Commander

Time in service: 14 years, 7 months

Time on Station: 8 months

Hometown: Ewa Beach, Hawaii

Why is serving in the Air Force important to you?
Serving in the military is a tradition in my family. My father, father-in-law, and several uncles were career military service members (Navy). My sister also serves in the Air National Guard. It is important for me to carry on our family tradition and also show my children what it means to serve and protect the freedoms that we have.

What moment or accomplishment as a Warrior of the North are you most proud of and why?
The accomplishment I'm most proud of was when I had the opportunity to lead a team through a zero-discrepancy, no-notice inspection by the College of American Pathologists, resulting in a two-year accreditation for our clinical laboratory.

What is your favorite part of your job?
Knowing that the lab results we provide help diagnose and treat diseases, keeping our Airmen and their families healthy.

Who inspires you and why?
There are many people that inspire me but one person who stands out is Lt. Col. Dick Hoyt (Air National Guard retired). Dick and his son, Rick (who has cerebral palsy), compete in marathons and Ironman triathlons. As a member of Team Hoyt, Dick pushes, pulls, and carries Rick through each athletic event. Dick's commitment to his son and their team mission inspires me as an Airman and as a father.

What's the first thing that made you think Grand Forks Air Force Base was a cool place other than the temperature or weather?
Grand Forks Air Force Base is the first base I have been assigned to that does not have manned aircraft. I was amazed to see how the Global Hawk mission we support here aides combatant commanders overseas.