Coming Soon

by Nina R. Schluntz

Holdrege native commits to service while deployed to Middle East

By Staff Sgt. Julie Weckerlein

U.S. Central Command Air Forces Public Affairs

SOUTHWEST ASIA – Growing up on a Nebraska farm, Nina Schluntz never imagined herself responsible for gathering potentially life-saving intelligence in the middle of the desert in a time of war.

But that’s what the Huntley-native is doing now as a senior airman for the Air Force. And she raised her right hand yet again in a re-enlistment ceremony here June 1, committing to another four years of service.

“Deploying to the desert makes the entire re-enlistment process more memorable,” said the 2001 Holdrege Senior High School graduate who works as an intelligence analyst.

Normally, Airman Schluntz works for an intelligence unit based in Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., but she is currently serving a four- to six-month deployment here as an Operation Iraqi Freedom analyst with the intelligence unit that services the region’s Air Force command headquarters.

“I provide time-critical information to the aircrews flying over combat areas,” she said, “alerting them to new threats and developments that are continuously changing.”

Her re-enlistment was unique because it was conducted by an Army intelligence officer she’s worked for in the past.

Army Maj. Jason Dickerman, who works in the same deployed unit, said it was an honor and a privilege to swear her in because of Airman Schluntz’s positive attitude and loyalty to the mission.

“The first enlistment, [the troops] get exposure to the military and what the recruiter didn’t tell them,” he said. “But after that, it’s a conscious decision to step forward and do it again. She has always struck me as a loyal and dedicated Airman, willing to learn and willing to do whatever it takes to get the mission accomplished.”

It never occurred to Airman Schluntz not to re-enlist – she simply enjoys her job.

“The knowledge that I am here supporting our troops who are in dangerous locations, gives me a sense of fulfillment I never would have felt back at my home base,” she said.

She credits her enthusiasm to the support she receives from her family back home. Her mother, Joy Schluntz, sister, Anna Liljihorn, and brother-in-law Mike Liljihorn still live in the area, as do other members of the Schluntz family, who continue to farm in the region.

“The support from home has been great,” she said. “My family has come around to my serving during war, and they’ve come to find it an exciting topic to discuss at [their] work. They are always eager to send me a care package, and hear how my day went.”

While a typical day for Airman Schluntz involves 13-hour work shifts, she has managed to achieve yet another personal goal while overseas: she’s publishing her second sci-fi fantasy novel, one that involves mysterious plagues and dragons – themes that allow her some escape from the rigors of her work.

“I’m working on my third novel while I’m out here, during my downtime,” she said. “I’m halfway finished with it.”

Airman Schluntz said she’s looking forward to the next four years of her enlistment with the same enthusiasm she brings to her current deployment.

“We all have to do our turn serving in the desert,” she said. “I wouldn’t feel right if I didn’t do my part.”