Civilian reflects on landmark Duke Field career

  • Published
  • By Adam Duckworth
  • 919th Special Operations Wing Public Affairs
DUKE FIELD, Fla. --  Ann Avant has the unique honor of being the first non-prior service enlisted female Airman at Duke Field. On Dec. 4, after 38 years of military and federal civilian service that includes 21 years of enlisted duty, she said goodbye to her position as the human resources specialist for 919th Force Support Squadron as she plans to enjoy retirement. 

Ms. Avant initially enlisted May 31, 1972 when the 919th Special Operations Wing (then known as the 919th Tactical Airlift Group) was in its infancy. She states that her motivation for joining the Air Force Reserve was her father when he informed her that the unit had just opened.

"I never really thought it through," Ms. Avant said. "I just went ahead and enlisted. Actually, that was one of the smartest things I ever did."

Being the first non-prior service enlisted female did not really hit home for her until it started to create a buzz in the local community. After the day of her enlistment, she received a telephone call from a radio station in Pensacola requesting an interview. It was then that she began to realize that her enlistment was opening doors for other women in the area.

After returning from basic training in August 1972, Ms. Avant began her first assignment as an administrative specialist. Her first memories were that of in-processing at Eglin Air Force Base.

"I was a very naïve 18 year old, so it was a whole different ball game to what I was accustomed to."

Her trepidation was relieved when she began to work. The Airmen took care of her and she did not have any problems with them.

"Most of them now take credit for raising me," she joked.

The best way Ms. Avant could describe her earliest days at Duke Field was that it was a family where everyone knew and cared for each other. She recalled a unit of barely 500 Airmen who routinely held cookouts and other festivities on Saturday nights during monthly unit training assemblies. The unit has grown, but she still confirms that there is closeness even though it has broken up into several different organizations.

Ironically enough, her father, David, joined the 919th while she was still involved in basic training at Lackland AFB, Texas. A year later, her brother, Michael, transferred to Duke Field from the Army National Guard. With this transfer, her biological family was the first family on the field.

When asked about her biggest challenges, Ms. Avant described the time she led the mobility processing unit in personnel and they had to deploy the wing's gunships and Airmen to Operation Desert Storm. "The guys were some of my best friends. Plus, my brother was on one of the planes."

While it was difficult to keep her composure on that day, she is proud that she was able to act and work professionally. Needless to say, one her best days was when she welcomed home those same fellow Airmen.

Ms. Avant will be leaving Duke Field with fond memories of a career and lifestyle she has thoroughly enjoyed.

"I've made lifelong friends," she said.