Partida i

SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany -- Staff Sgt. Crystal Partida, 52nd Operations Support Squadron, prepares to take an incentive flight September 5, 2008. Sgt. Partida earned her incentive flight for winning United States Air Forces Europe Air Traffic Controller of the Year. (U.S Air Force photo by Airman Staci Miller)

Partida II

Incentive flight program

Published Sept. 8, 2008
By Staff Reports
52nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs

SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany -- Staff Sgt. Crystal Partida, 52nd Operations Support Squadron, prepares to take an incentive flight Sept. 5. Sgt. Partida earned her incentive flight for winning the United States Air Forces in Europe Air Traffic Controller of the Year.

Name: Staff Sgt. Crystal Partida

Unit: 52nd Operations Support Squadron

Duty title: tower watch supervisor

Hometown: Austin, Texas

Years in Service: five years

Why joined: To serve my country

Family: Mom, dad, brother and sister

Hobbies: I like all kinds of sports

Favorite aspect of job: Every day is something different, and the challenge of getting aircraft safely on the ground.

Most memorable Air Force experience: The F-16 Fighting Falcon incentive flight and deploying.

Favorite part of F-16 flight: Flying upside down.

Previous flying experience: None

What award earned the flight: United States Air Forces Europe Air Traffic Controller of the Year

Any advice to future fliers or advice received before flight: Listen to all the information provided in the briefings. All of the briefers did a great job of letting me know what to expect and how to handle the situation.

Description of experience: Unforgettable! It is a once-in-a-lifetime experience!