Now & then

Airman, April, 2004 by Chuck Roberts

Being named one of the 12 Outstanding Airmen of 1993 was a benchmark in the career of Staff Sgt. Jeffrey Woffinden, who, as the noncommissioned officer in charge of laser radar support at Hanscom Air Force Base. Mass., had co-authored two scientific papers presented at the American Geophysical Union conference.

But after several months of living in the limelight, "I just wanted the year to be over," said now-Captain Woffinden, who is commander of the information systems flight at Beale Air Force Base, Calif. His plan in 1993 was to separate and accept a job as a software programmer in the Boston area. But at the prompting of a senior enlisted advisor, he submitted a package for Officer Training School and was accepted. Now he "can't imagine doing anything else." A business suit and civilian career would have been rewarding, he said, "but it doesn't have the same appeal as being a defender of my nation."

After earning his commission in 1995, he saw duty at Schriever Air Force Base, Colo., Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., and Indian Springs Air Force Auxiliary Field, Nev., where he helped stand up the Predator program and modify it for its first live-fire missile launch. The captain then deployed with it to "the bad guys' backyard" as part of Operation Southern Watch. That suits him fine. "I like putting the uniform on in the morning. In the Air Force you're part of something that makes a difference in the world," said Captain Woffinden, a single parent of two children, Zack, 8, and Meghan, 10.

And as for Kodiak, the Siberian husky he's pictured with in 1993 (above), Captain Woffinden left him in the care of a friend when he departed for OTS and his follow-on training. After such a long separation, he said it wouldn't have been fair to break the bond that developed between Kodiak and his new owner.