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“As a young child I was fascinated with the military and aviation in general,” said 1st Lt. Emanuel Ortiz, Argentine Air Force. “I always knew I wanted to join the military but never imagined how the military would open the doors to the world. The military has been my greatest school of adventures.”
1st Lt. Emanuel Ortiz, a C-130 Flight Navigator in the Argentine Air Force and he is assigned to one of the oldest units in the Argentine Air Force, Group I Air Transport, 1st Air Brigade, located at El Palomar Airport in the Province of Buenos Aires, Argentina. “I was honored to attend the Argentine Military School of Aviation for four years,” said Ortiz. The Argentine Military School of Aviation is the main school of the Argentine Air Force, forming military aviators, it’s located in the Province of Cordoba, which is approximately 680 kilometers North West of Buenos Aires.
“It was very difficult being away from my family for such a period of time, we did not visit very often as I was far from my hometown of Presidente Derqui in Buenos Aires. Once graduated from the school, I was commissioned and assigned to Group I of the 1st Air Brigade. I am a flight crew member for the KC-130 and we participate in all missions that the Squadron is assigned,” said Ortiz.
Group I is a C-130 Hercules Squadron, and its missions include personnel and cargo transport, paratroopers and cargo airdrops, medical evacuation, search and rescue, disaster support, in-flight refueling and refueling of the Antarctic bases. “Each member of the team has a vital job to do, no matter if it’s a pilot, flight engineer, flight navigator or a mechanic, we all contribute to the overall bigger scheme and mission. One of the best parts about this job is when we learn from each others experience,” said Ortiz.
“I am the first in my family to join the military, I grew up in a household where the military was highly respected and supported. My family is very patriotic and always had nothing but good things to say about the military. My youngest brother Lilan, has recently shown interest in following my steps into the Air Force, I feel great pleasure knowing I am now seeing as a role model who is paving a path for my sibling to follow. My brother has very strong values and I know he will make a great military member,” said Ortiz.
“Serving in the Air Force is a great vocation which covers all aspects of life, I speak for myself and many others when I say the military provides endless opportunities,” said Ortiz. Every time 1st Lt. Ortiz is seen in the hangar or the flight line he is walking towards everyone with a great smile, and a bombilla (a cup) of hot mate tea, welcoming everyone and offering a hand in any way. “I see this experience to partner up with another nation’s military and even other military branches in Argentina as a once in a lifetime opportunity, which I can learn life experiences directly from another military member, it’s very different than just trying to read one’s experience from a book or a news article, I will grow from this experience not only professionally but also personally,” said Ortiz.
1st Lt. Ortiz is very eager to help others. He is part of a team of military volunteers, who sponsor less fortunate students who are in financial need to finish school and become better citizens for tomorrow. He also helps coordinate with a group of professionals to conduct free dental exams for less fortunate students of surrounding schools. “I am grateful for the opportunity to help others and assist in any way possible,” said Ortiz.
“I’d like to continue to expand my professional and military education, I’d love to stay in the Hercules Squadron and become an expert Navigator and become an instructor in the future. Continuing to drive the legacy that was paved by the veterans who have served before me. I look forward to new experiences, challenges and opportunities to serve in the future,” said Ortez.
| Date Taken: | 04.29.2019 |
| Date Posted: | 04.30.2019 08:20 |
| Story ID: | 320026 |
| Location: | B, AR |
| Web Views: | 345 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Argentine Air Force Navigator Partners up, by TSgt Noel Velez-Crespo, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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