Major decision changes, saves lives

  • Published
  • By 1st Lt. Kevin Brown
  • 40th Air Expeditionary Group Public Affairs
OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM (AFPN) --  On Sept. 11, 2001, Dr. Lidia S. Ilcus was driving to her office to see patients and lead clinicals as an assistant professor at the University of Texas at Houston.

When Ilcus arrived at work, a nurse approached her with some unexpected news.

Like most people in the country that morning, the two of them watched the news in disbelief as the first tower fell, and then the second. The doctor looked to her nurse, put her arm around her and said, "This is war."

But what Ilcus did next is more than what many people did. She joined the Air Force.

"I'm the kind of person that, when (I) get something in the mail from the United Way or some organization like it, I won't send money. I'll join," she said. "I think the way you affect change is to get actively involved."

At an early age, Ilcus learned how important it was to be an American. Her mother fled Romania during World War II at age 7 and became a dental hygienist. Her father grew up in war-torn Romania where Ilcus’ mother met him on a trip. They were married, but Ilcus’ father became a physician. He had to fight for years with immigration officials to join his wife and daughter in the United States.

"I respect the fact that my parents have been through so much to be here," Ilcus said.

Now an Air Force major, Ilcus, 37, has always demonstrated a passion for her service and profession. She served a two-year tour in Abkhazia, Georgia, with Doctors Without Borders, a worldwide medical relief organization.

While there, she was held hostage for several hours when she attempted to flee the compound after receiving a bomb threat.

Ilcus said she joined the Air Force because, like others, the events of Sept. 11 deeply affected her.

"I just didn't want anyone threatening my niece's way of life," she said

Now she is a flight doctor deployed to the 28th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron in Southwest Asia, where she ensures medical readiness of aircrew members.

There are significant differences between Ilcus' old career and her new one, she said. Although her long work days have remained the same, she took a significant pay cut when she joined the Air Force.

"I joined the Air Force to make a difference, not to make money," she said. (Courtesy of Air Combat Command News Service)