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BAGRAM AIR FIELD, Afghanistan (8/10/2011) - Where were you on Sept. 11, 2001?
It's a question many Americans have the answer to engrained in
their mind. Frank Bauder was on a boat in the Philippines when his
girlfriend informed him what she had seen on the television. Soon
after, he'd make a decision that would change his life.
Bauder, a native of St. Helena, Calif., joined the Air Force in 1973
during Vietnam and served 17 years between active duty and the Air
National Guard before leaving military life in 1990. He was 15 years
into a career as a pilot with Federal Express when he'd heard what
happened on Sept. 11. Immediately, he knew he had to do something to
contribute.
"They brought the fight to us," said Master Sgt.
Frank Bauder, 774th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron first sergeant.
"I felt doing nothing in the war on terrorism wasn't an option. If I
put my uniform back on and the military would take me, then perhaps
my children wouldn't have to fight."
Determined to stand up
for what he believed in, Bauder spent the next two months going
through the necessary steps to rejoin the armed forces, and by Nov.
29, 2001, he was back in uniform. He joined the Army National Guard
for one year, before finding his current home with the Alaska Air
National Guard.
Ten years later, Bauder, stationed at the
176th Wing on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, found himself
deployed to Bagram Air Field for a second time. He was an aircraft
maintainer on the first deployment and a first sergeant in his
second. Both jobs, while demanding, come with plenty of rewards as
well.
"During the first deployment I was part of getting
people and stuff to the pointy end of the spear as a maintainer,"
Bauder said. "On this one, I feel like I'm making a difference in
morale as well as helping to mentor the younger airmen."
As a
first sergeant, Bauder knows that every day at the office is
different and comes with its own unique set of challenges.
"Our job doesn't stop," Bauder said. "It's a difficult job, but a
necessary job. It's all a part of taking care of people."
One highlight of his first sergeant duties with the 774th EAS is
seeing the role the airmen in the squadron are playing in
accomplishing their varied missions.
"I'm seeing the impact
of the job they do," he said. "They're getting the beans and the
bullets to the boys in the field."
The example Bauder sets is
felt by not only the younger airmen, but by squadron leadership, who
rely on his experience and knowledge to ensure the airmen of all
ranks are able to complete their missions.
"Master Sergeant
Bauder's patriotism and commitment is a true example to his fellow
airmen," said Lt. Col. Richard Adams, 774th EAS commander. "His
story shows the diversity of the Air National Guard. This diversity
of backgrounds, selfless personal sacrifice and commitment to our
nation is what makes the Guard strong, and Frank certainly possesses
all of these qualities. The shirt truly leads from the front."
Bauder, a husband and a father of four children, and a captain
with 25 years at Fed Ex, has never wondered if he made the right
decision in coming back to serve.
"There was no question in
my mind it was the right move to go back," Bauder said. "I wanted to
be part of the solution. I'm turning 56 soon and I'll stay in for as
long as I can. I'm in the company of some real fine airmen here, and
it's an honor to serve them in this capacity."
By U.S. Air Forces Central Public Affairs
Provided
through DVIDS
Copyright 2011
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