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Selfridge Airman trucks to duty destination

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. David Kujawa
  • 127th Wing Public Affairs
In her first experience on the open road in a big rig, Staff Sgt. Julia Nobles trucked 9,000 pounds of cargo on a six-hour journey from one corner of Michigan to another.

Nobles, a member of the Michigan Air National Guard's 127th Logistics Readiness Squadron, is in upgrade training for a new position in the Vehicle Operations section of the squadron. Part of the new job requires her to be able to drive tractor trailers and other large vehicles. Supporting a recent exercise deployment by the 119th Field Artillery of the Michigan Army National Guard, Nobles drove a 40-foot trailer carrying 15 pallets of materials from Selfridge Air National Guard Base - her home station - to the Alpena Combat Readiness Training Center in Michigan.

"Nobles is enthusiastic and dedicated," said Staff Sgt. Rodney McLarty, a tractor trailer trainer of the 127th LRS. He made the 6-hour trip with Nobles, advising from the passenger seat. "She is easy to train and will make a great trucker."

McLarty has the experience to make the call. He's an over-the-road trucker in his civilian career, typically hauling hazardous chemicals.

Nobles was one of nine Airman from the 127th LRS who recently supported the 119th Field Artillery's mobilization exercise. In addition to driving the truck, Nobles also created the cargo manifest for the soldiers' trip.  

Nobles has served in the Air National Guard for 11 years in variety of jobs within LRS, with Traffic Management Operations being her first assignment. While in TMO, Nobles trained and began the task of creating cargo manifests for both training missions and deployments.  Nobles decided to diversify her skills as an Airman in LRS and pursued a position in Vehicle Operations, where she is currently working. 

Nobles said that she enjoys working in LRS, which handles a wide diversity of assignments.

"Every day is different," she said.

The staff sergeant said she hopes to serve for many years to come in the ANG. She stated that she hopes to serve as a first sergeant in the future and ultimately hopes to reach the rank of chief master sergeant.

"I love serving my country every day," she said. "There's never a dull moment."

About the 127th Wing
Comprised of approximately 1,700 personnel and flying both the A-10 Thunderbolt II and the KC-135 Stratotanker, the Michigan Air National Guard's 127th Wing supports Air Mobility Command and Air Combat Command operations by providing highly-skilled Airmen to missions domestically and overseas. The 127th Wing is the host unit at Selfridge Air National Guard Base, which marks its 98th year of continuous military air operations in 2015.