Salute: Meeting Tech Sgt. Amalya Velez

Keith Oliver and Cindy Peterson
·2 min read
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Tech Sgt. Amalya Velez currently serves as a recruiter at the Air Force recruitment office in Leesburg, but this 32-year-old California girl has had quite the journey serving in Japan and Afghanistan.

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Velez talked with the Daily Commercial, and here’s what she had to say.

Q: What duty stations have you been assigned to?

A: I have served at the Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Tucson, Arizona, for three years with deployment to Afghanistan. I also served in Kadena Air Base in Okinawa, Japan for six years and have been in Leesburg for the last four years.

Q: What schools did you attend?

A: I graduated high school from River City High School, home of the Raiders. Then I attended Community College of the Air Force and got my associates in avionics technology (and) associates in human resources. I attended Pima Community College and Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, where I’m in work for my Bachelor’s in Technical Management.

Tech Sgt. Amalya Velez's dress uniform reflects an exciting career that includes a combat tour in Afghanistan and rescue and relief operations in the Philippean Islands and Thailand.
Tech Sgt. Amalya Velez's dress uniform reflects an exciting career that includes a combat tour in Afghanistan and rescue and relief operations in the Philippean Islands and Thailand.

Q: When did you enter the service, and why?

A: I joined in 2008 because I wanted to work on planes and travel.

Q: What conflicts did you participate in?

A: I was in Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Thai Cave Rescue, and Operation Damayan, where we provided relief to the Philippine Islands that were hit by the Cat 5 typhoon Haiyan.

Q: What other countries did you visit on your duties?

A: South Korea, Thailand, India, Philippines, New Zealand, Australia, Guam, Malaysia, Canada, Iceland, Palau, Greece, Kuwait and England.

Ever the adventurer, Tech. Sgt. Amalya Velez, front, is shown aboard an Air Force C-130 with Senior Airman Dalen Payne, who she trained in San Antonio, circling the island of Okinawa, Japan.
Ever the adventurer, Tech. Sgt. Amalya Velez, front, is shown aboard an Air Force C-130 with Senior Airman Dalen Payne, who she trained in San Antonio, circling the island of Okinawa, Japan.

Q: Was any of your family in the Armed Forces?

A: I have an aunt and uncle that served in the Air Force, two uncles who served in the Marine Corps, and a cousin serving in the Army. I also have a brother-in-law currently in the Air Force.

Q: What are your major hobbies?

A: Soccer, weightlifting, hiking, camping and traveling.

Q: Who was the best leader you were exposed to and why?

A: Major General Leavitt because she was the first female pilot, and Captain Marvel is based on her.

This article originally appeared on Daily Commercial: Meeting Tech Sgt. and Leesburg Air Force recruiter Amalya Velez