#VeteranOfTheDay Air Force Veteran Jamie Fox

During Native American Heritage Month, today’s #VeteranOfTheDay is Air Force Veteran Jamie Fox, who served as an aircraft crew chief.

Jamie Fox grew up on the Fort Belknap Reservation in Montana as a member of the Gros Ventre and the Métis tribes. From an early age, she had respect for military service, which was common within her family and community. Fox also knew she wanted to work in the world of aviation. Sharing an appreciation for aircraft, her father encouraged Fox’s interest in aviation. At the age of 17, she enlisted in the Air Force.

Fox spent six weeks in San Antonio, Texas, completing her basic training. Then, she received mechanical training for three months at Sheppard Air Force Base in Wichita Falls, Texas. After graduating from this training, she became a crew chief on B1-B Lancers at Dyess Air Force Base in Abilene, Texas. She focused on aero repair, which is vital maintenance for the aircraft. She enjoyed her time at this base, describing the base as being “…just a big family” in an interview in 2019.

Fox deployed to Doha, Qatar, where she continued working on B-1Bs for six months. After completing this deployment, she reenlisted and requested to be stationed at McChord Field Air Force Base in Tacoma, Washington. While at this base, she worked on C-17 Globemaster IIIs. As part of Operation Enduring Freedom, Fox deployed to Kandahar, Afghanistan, in November 2011. Her deployment in Afghanistan was different from her first deployment. Fox had limited contact with her family and described being constantly “on high alert.” While on deployment, Fox promoted to staff sergeant. She left Afghanistan in June 2012, returning to Washington. For the last three years of her service, Fox trained Airmen on the basics of the C-17. In 2016, Fox left the Air Force, holding the rank of staff sergeant.

At home, Fox had constant support during and after her time serving. Her tribe honored her when she returned from her first deployment. She also found support through music, which has played an important role in her life. Ever since she was 10 years old, she has been playing the fiddle. Her musical talent helped her transition from her time in service to civilian life. In recent years, she has built a reputation for her musical talent. Fox met her husband at a music festival in Washington. She lives with him in Denmark.

Thank you for your service!

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Veterans History Project

This #VeteranOfTheDay profile was created with interviews submitted to the Veterans History Project. The project collects, preserves, and makes accessible the personal accounts of American war Veterans so that future generations may hear directly from Veterans and better understand the realities of war. Find out more at http://www.loc.gov/vets/.

Contributors

Writer: Nathaniel Scott

Editors: Annabelle Colton, Nicolas Nunnally

Fact checkers: Yuki Harry, Patrick E. Woods

Graphic artist: Kiki Kelley