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“I was in college to become a lawyer, but I started college when I was 16, and by the time I was in my early 20s, I was already burnt out. It was all just sitting in an office, pushing paper. I wanted something different.”
Years ago, Senior Airman Nicole Kleymenov, 344th Air Refueling Squadron boom operator, never would have guessed that she’d be in Italian air space, participating in exercise Fighting Wyvern 25-01, testing her abilities and enhancing Agile Combat Employment. Fighting Wyvern
involved simulating threats to critical assets, which the 31st Fighter Wing sets out to defend. Kleymenov provided a key role, precisely delivering fuel to fighter jets mid-air.
It was a manager at her previous job who changed her life forever when he invited her on a discovery flight. It was a completely different experience, causing second thoughts about staying in the field of law.
“That’s when I knew I wanted to be in aviation,” Kleymenov said.
At first, Kleymenov wanted to commission as an officer, but quickly learned that she’d need two more years of school. The idea was not appealing to her; she was craving a change, and fast. After deliberation, Kleymenov decided to pay a visit to a local recruiter. She was offered medical positions, security forces and services, none of which interested her.
“Thankfully I had friends in the military already, and they all suggested that I go into a flying position,” Kleymenov said. “So I applied for jobs like loadmaster, flight medic and boom operator.”
It was a bold decision, but Kleymenov knew what she wanted, and she sought out to achieve her goal. Now, she has her sight set on a new challenge.
During the exercise, her next goal was to improve her teaching skills. Kleymenov is training to become a boom operator instructor and is using this exercise to refine her skills.
“I can absorb knowledge quickly, but teaching it to someone else is a different challenge,” Kleymenov said. “It’s a skill I’m still developing, learning how to communicate clearly and break things down for students.”
Kleymenov hopes to achieve the title of boom operator instructor later this year and extend her contract with the Air Force. Meanwhile, she will apply for Officer Training School, creating a full circle back to her original goal of being an Air Force officer.
“I wouldn’t trade this experience for anything,” Kleymenov said. “I love it.”
| Date Taken: | 03.12.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 03.20.2025 15:34 |
| Story ID: | 493329 |
| Location: | AVIANO AIR BASE, IT |
| Web Views: | 10 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, From Law Studies to Foreign Skies, by A1C Paula Arce, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
