Airmen of the Burgh: Staff Sgt. Robinson

  • Published
  • By Airman Bethany Feenstra
  • 911th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
PITTSBURGH INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT AIR RESERVE STATION, Pa. --  "I always move forward and try to look at the next step," said Staff Sgt. Kimberly Robinson, an aircrew flight equipment technician assigned to the 911th Operations Support Squadron here.

This philosophy has brought her through a variety of career choices, including her current assignment here.

Robinson grew up near Pittsburgh and has lived in Preston County, West Virginia, ever since moving there for college. She commutes to Pittsburgh IAP ARS for her full-time position as an air reserve technician.

Prior to joining the Air Force in 2009, Robinson worked as a 9-1-1 dispatcher, a career with unconventional hours. Robinson said she felt like she was stuck in a rut and wanted a change of scenery, which she's found in her role at the 911 AW.

"I like having a Monday through Friday dayshift job," said Robinson. "And the people I work with are some of the best. It's a really great place."

"We inspect and maintain anything with the aircrew," Robinson said, gesturing around a room of neatly piled equipment. "Their flight helmets, oxygen masks, survival vests, body armor, survival kits, flotation devices, parachutes and radios -- we inspect and maintain all of that."

With a career as a 9-1-1 dispatcher, a bachelor's degree in psychology and a history of volunteer work, Robinson's diverse background has enhanced her military career.

"In a way, all of that kind of helps," said Robinson. "We have kind of dealt with different aspects of things the Air Force talks about, especially the active shooter training and different things they are going over now."

Robinson attributes her background as a 9-1-1 dispatcher to her detail-oriented attitude. Checking small details is both her favorite and the most challenging part of her job.

"Not that we want anything to happen," Robinson said. "But if something bad should happen and our equipment would be used, I want to make sure that it's going to be alright."

When she's not working, Robinson enjoys taking care of her dogs and participating in a book club. She also runs half-marathons, something Robinson said she has enjoyed since she started seeing running as a personal goal rather than a race.

"I've got a couple lined up for this year that I've actually trained for instead of just waking up one day and going 'Oh, I'm going to go run today,'" said Robinson.

Although Robinson enjoys her hobbies and her job, she doesn't know what the future will bring. Some of her goals include getting her master's degree and promoting to technical sergeant, but she prefers not to make long-term plans.

"If I make a plan now maybe I'll miss a really exciting opportunity in a couple years," said Robinson.