January Spotlight Airman

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Christopher Schepers
  • 175th Wing Public Affairs
Baltimore --  The 175th Wing Public Affairs office would like to present Senior Airman Barbara Rodriguez as the January Spotlight Airman. Please read below for more information on Senior Airman Rodriguez.

Name: Barbara Rodriguez
Rank: SrA
Unit: 175th MXS
Fulltime Job: A-10 Pneudraulics Specialist
Hometown: Manorville, NY
Joined the MDANG: September/2009
Total Service Years: 5 yrs
Family: Mother, Father, 2 Sisters, 1 Brother
Favorite Movie: Armageddon
Last book read: Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
Favorite food:  Chinese (Steamed Dumplings, Crab Rangoon, Egg Roll, Chicken and Broccoli with White Rice and a Diet Coke)
Favorite Sports Team: Seahawks/Ravens/Orioles

Tell us your brief life story

I was born in Santiago, Dominican Republic where my father grew up. After a few months, my family and I moved to New York where we lived in Queens until I was 8 years old and then moved to Long Island. I attended Queen of Apostles from 2nd through 8th grade then went on to Saint Anthony's College Prep High School. After High School I began studying for a Bachelor's in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Dayton in Ohio.

Tell us about your military career

While studying at the University of Dayton, I had the opportunity to work at Wright-Patterson AFB in the Air Vehicles Directorate.  I worked Computational Fluid Dynamics for parts being tested in wind tunnels. I worked with active duty military members on a daily basis and they encouraged me to join for school benefits. I decided to join the MDANG and left for basic training in February, 2010. My first job in the Guard was as a C-130J crew chief. I then worked as an augmentee in Security Forces for a year and served a brief stint in A-10 Phase. Then, in March 2013, I was hired as a full-time technician in Hydraulics. I've been in this position for almost 2 years. We handle everything from inspections of the A-10 aircraft, removing and replacing parts and back shop work where we break assets down and rebuild them. My most memorable experience is when we traveled to Alaska this past year. As soon as I got off the plane I could tell the difference in the air. It was pure and fresh and you could see the mountains off in the distance, truly beautiful. Backpacking at Denali National Park and seeing the northern lights on our last night there were experiences I will never forget.

What are you most passionate about?

I am very passionate about traveling and experiencing new places. Ever since I was a child, my parents would take me and my siblings on road trips across the country. From a young age I had the privilege of seeing several state parks and visiting extended family in Colorado and Arkansas.