Peterson airman stars in AF commercial
By Peggy Hodge and Joe Davidson, Space and Missile Systems Center Public Affairs
/ Published August 20, 2002
LOS ANGELES AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. (AFPN) -- The moment Airman 1st Class Jessica Sanchez stepped onto the Hollywood sound stage recently, she was "crossing into the blue" at the same time.
The missile warning intelligence analyst with the 21st Operations Support Squadron at Peterson Air Force Base, Colo., won the role of a young Hispanic woman who has aspirations for space in the Air Force's newest "Cross Into the Blue" commercial.
Although the commercial will last only 30 seconds when finished, Sanchez's journey began at her home base of Peterson in July when she answered a casting call for Hispanic women in Air Force Space Command. The film production company and the Air Force agreed that they wanted a real airman, not an actress, to portray the airman in the commercial.
Twenty-two women, officer and enlisted alike, came to the casting call. Sanchez was one of three who were asked to go to Los Angeles for a final tryout and the one who became the face of the Air Force.
"I was on pins and needles after the callback," she said. "I knew I did my best, so all I could do was wait."
Filming took place at Paramount Studios and on location at The Aerospace Corporation's Spacelift Telemetry Acquisition and Reporting System facility at El Segundo, Calif. The storyline involves a young girl adjusting a satellite dish on a rooftop in order to get a better signal for a soccer match. Years later, viewers see her at work in high-tech surroundings as a member of AFSPC.
One of four new "Cross Into the Blue" spots for television, this is the first that features a space career. The other three will focus on the Predator unmanned aerial vehicle, pararescue and the F-22 Raptor.
"It's really nice I'm seen as someone who can represent the Air Force," Sanchez said.
After three hours of filming at the STARS facility, featuring extras from Los Angeles AFB, the crew packed up its equipment and headed for Paramount Studios to finish the day.
The commercial should air later this year. (Courtesy of AFSPC News Service)