Airman of the Burgh: Master Sgt. Helen Henry

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Brandy Grace
  • 911th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
PITTSBURGH INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT AIR RESERVE STATION. Pa. --  "I love my job. I love what I do," she said with sincerity in her voice. 

"I am here for the mission. I am mission-oriented. I know if I help people, my job is complete," said Master Sgt. Helen Henry, a flight medical technician with the 911th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron here.

Henry, 22 years into her career, is the kind of person who gives her all effort to the people around her.

"She goes totally above and beyond," said Lt. Col. Diane Murphy, the chief nurse for the 911th AES

In addition to her reserve commitments, Henry also works for The Department of Veteran Affairs helping military members in need, many of which suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder.

"It's very rewarding," said Henry.

Combine that with the time it takes her to care for her son who has special needs and it is pretty apparent that Henry does quite the balancing act.

"The hardest part is being a single parent. I have to make judgments that keep the balance. Balance is hard. It sounds so easy, but it's not," said Henry.

Henry knows that keeping that balance requires her to call on her fellow wingmen. There have been many times that she has called on her military family to help.  There was a time when Henry had to stay late for the mission and it conflicted with her schedule at home, but her 911th AES wingmen were there to help.

"I was panicking inside. I'm thinking 'how am I going to get my boy off the bus.' One of my AES family went to get him for me," said Henry.

Just as Henry's AES family is there for her, she is there for her junior wingman. She said she wants to make sure she is as good a mentor as others were to her.

"I want to be that person to help them. We have a great squadron. We have a lot of good people who want to be here," said Henry. "There are some things I haven't done and  I definitely want to do some more flying." As for her command, they couldn't be happier with skill set she brings to their squadron.

"Her demeanor is a good asset," said Murphy. "She is definitely one of our go-to people."