RAFB Holbeck

RAFB Holbeck

And thanks for good evening good evening and thanks for joining us for 41nbc news at 5:30.

I'm shelby coates.

First -- it's a story only on 41nbc.

When it comes to leadership at robins air force base... many of the top positions are held by women.

Many of these women say... they are focused on their work and not their gender.

And for women's history month we wanted to find out more.... about these women in key positions of power.

Today we meet a humble history maker the commander of the 116th air control wing colonel amy holbeck (hole-beck) .

Growing up in tennessee colonel amy holbeck never set out to make history.

52-1:00 "so my only goal was to someday serve my 20 years in a way to say thank you to those who served before me."

But she did... when she became the first female commander in the georgia air national guard... commanding more than 1400 airmen within the 116th air control wing.

It's responsible for for the nation's e-8c joint surveillance target attack radar system or jstars.

"we basically find the bad guys and tell the good guys where they are so they can take care of business.

The flying operation uses radar to provide ground surveillance to support attack operations.

J-stars is only housed at robins air force base ... creating a 195 million dollar economic impact in georgia.

And colonel holbeck oversees it all.

"to me it's just what i do."

Holbeck says she always had a patroitic spirit.

It comes from watching military movies with her dad.

She says a commercial in 1997 launched her historic career.

"and it was call 423-usaf.

So i called the number and the rest is history."

But remember... holbeck was not planning to make history.

She said she simply wanted to serve her 20 years.

***"i was first enlisted in avionics maintainance, on the 8-10 aircraft.

And i don't remember any other females being in my unit."

That female absence changed at officer training school and when she came to robins in 2001.

"so i just kind of kept my mouth shut and did what i was told."

But again... she didn't pay much attention to who or which sex was advancing in the ranks.

However ... others are paying attention to her.

***"i don't really think about it alot, i guess, until my daughter.

She is 7.

And she really thinks i am a big deal."

Although humble, holbeck does admit... her history-making career has an impact on... other women in service.

"when other people recongize and appreciate what i'm doing.

And it means a lot to other younger females in the organization.

That's kind of when it hits me."

And she says... as she moved up ... she never felt limited by her gender.

In fact, she sees it as one of her many assets.

"i'm able to reach other women where as a male leader may not be able to."

Finishing up her first year as commander... holbeck says leadership is not easy.

She focuses on her faith and finding the right mentors to push her out of her comfort zone and toward her goals.

"i am very blessed and fortunate to be in this position.

And i'm proud to be in this position."

And her leadership advice for others is simply this.

"even the lowest airman is a leader to someone.

Someone is always watching, watching our actions and reactions.

And often time our reactions to events and circumstances say more about us then our actions do day to day."

Colonel holbeck (hole beck) says..

As a leader it is important to let people know they matter ...so they can remain productive members of the organization.

And she says