Serving through the season: Airman Marilyn Torres

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Brandon Hoyt
  • Detachment 9, Air Force News Agency
SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany (AFPN) --  It's already on the schedule -- Amn. Marilyn Torres will celebrate the holidays inside the 726th Air Mobility Squadron's supply warehouse, ensuring heavy aircraft assigned here are mission-ready.

Like many Airmen new to the Air Force, she'll also spend some time doing details, such as cleaning the floors. The supply warehouse, lined with rows of giant aircraft tires and towering shelves stocked with aircraft parts and supplies, is much too big for the standard broom. She uses a red shiny new Zamboni. It doesn't make up for working the holidays, but to Airman Torres, it's just another day.

"It's my job so the mission comes first," she said.

The heart of the supply mission is paramount to making sure the war fighter has what they need to fight the war on terrorism. It's a mission this 19-year-old supply apprentice understands.

"Without these parts, those planes can't get fixed. We need to issue them their parts, so they can get the planes fixed, so we can complete the mission. You can't fly without supply!"

It's a saying she takes seriously, as she coordinates directly with maintenance fresh off the raining Spangdahlem flightline, as she processes the multiple tags and paperwork that arrive with newly delivered parts, and while she cautiously learns how to use a forklift.

It's a lot to absorb for an Airman who has only been in the service eight months, but with Airman Torres' youthful energy, it's obvious she's already an asset to the force.

She exudes the same motivation she has with her job with her assignment.

"The fact that I'm (at Spangdahlem) is great! I mean I like Germany -- I love it! It's the best opportunity I've got in my life. I know there's nothing better for me out there. The fact that I'm here for the holidays is no problem."

She's not currently serving in hot spots such as Iraq or Afghanistan, but forgoing a day off during the holidays is a sacrifice many Airmen like Airman Torres are prepared to make. Airman Torres is a "warfighter" no matter what day it is.

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