MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- Senior Airman Janie Maitland is an Air Terminal Operation Specialist for the 5th Logistics Readiness Squadron. She is originally from Eglin Air Force Base, Florida. and became a member of Team Minot in December 2020.
“I'm still getting used to Minot but I really like it so far,” said Maitland. “Coming from a joint base where nobody really knows what you do, to be here where we're a small but a really important part of this team. So, our mission is more visible here, despite it being smaller. I like feeling more like I have a significant role here. It feels good to be part of a team where you're needed, and people appreciate that a little bit more.”
At most bases, her job is to transport cargo and passengers safely and legally but here missions are a little bit different.
“I myself am an increment monitor trainer for the entire base, so basically my job is to prepare units to deploy with their cargo and we don't so much touch the people side of things but mainly just helping the units,” said Maitland. “I make sure that their cargo is safely and legally processed before the joint inspection, and cargo is loaded onto the aircraft.”
With her short experience here, Maitland already has a sense of pride being at Minot.
“My favorite part of the mission is really getting to help other people and getting to help other units because it really feels like a team effort, rather than us against them,” said Maitland.
Maitland mentioned that her family is a motivating factor for her as well as other accomplishments.
“The most motivating thing to me is when you see the mission complete like a takeoff,” said Maitland. “When you see the mission happening and it's successful, and you know that you had a part in that, that's really motivating to me and really inspiring to me.”
In her free time, she is pursuing her Master’s degree in Environmental Management.
“Usually I just hang out with my husband and our animals. We bought an old house so we've been fixing that up” said Maitland.