Troy Woman, First Lt. Amanda Coonradt, At Home in the Sky

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1st Lt. Amanda Coonradt, a navigator with the 109th Airlift Wing, poses at Antarctica. The unit has given airlift support to the National Science Foundation's South Pole research since 1988.

LATHAM, NY (03/25/2011)(readMedia)-- One of the women who keeps the New York Air National Guard flying found her inspiration in the skies and on the ground.

First Lt. Amanda Coonradt, of Troy, N.Y., is among the nearly 950 women in the New Air York National Guard. As a navigator, she routinely takes to the skies, logging flying time in the specially-equipped LC-130 Hercules transport planes of the 109th Airlift Wing, which is based in Scotia, N.Y. at Stratton Air National Guard Base.

Coonradt joined the 109th Airlift Wing in 2000. Her enlisted job, however, didn't challenge her or give her sense of accomplishment, Coonradt said. Unit aircrew members and the unit's Antarctica mission inspired her to make a change.

With their ski-equipped LC-130s, the 109th Airlift Wing has provided airlift support for the National Science Foundation's South Pole research since 1988. Since 1999, the unit has been the sole provider of this type of airlift to the National Science Foundation and United States Antarctic research efforts, and is the only unit in the United States military equipped with ski landing gear.

"I really wanted to be part of the mission myself," she recalled. "It was hard for me to sit on the sidelines and see others explore the world."

She spoke with aircrew members and gravitated toward the navigator position - an officer job which would allow her to fly and engage her interest in geography and math, Coonradt said. She earned her commission in 2007, and since has traveled to Greenland, Hawaii, New Zealand, American Samoa and air shows all over the country, in addition to Antarctica, she added.

"We're the only unit in the world that does this mission," Coonradt said. "I feel fortunate to be part of it." She enjoys the teamwork of the aircrew, who don't treat her differently yet give her respect, she added.

She also enjoys flying.

"It feels great, it's so much fun, it puts a smile on my face," Coonradt said. "I get very disappointed if we don't take off."