Incirlik NCO attends women’s training symposium

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Ray Bowden
  • 39th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey --  Today's Air Force boasts almost 70,000 women, many of whom have served as general officers, chief master sergeants, pilots, convoy commanders and even space shuttle commander. 

Tech. Sgt. Bobbie Dobberstein, 39th Air Base Wing command chief assistant, recently attended the three-day Heritage to Horizon Women's Training Symposium in Washington D.C., a seminar focusing on the service and achievements of Air Force and other military women. 

"The symposium also focused on the evolution of the Air Force over the past 60 years and how far women of all races and ethnic backgrounds have come," she said.
A variety of panelists and speakers were on hand, including Tech. Sgt. Kathy Shaw, the first female convoy commander in Iraq, Gail Evans, author and former Cable News Network executive vice president, and Chief Master Sgt. (Ret.) Dottie Holmes, one of the first women to retire from the Air Force with 30 years of service. 

"It was humbling to be surrounded by so many accomplished women," said Sergeant Dobberstein. "It gave me a much better perspective as a woman and as a member of the military. The obstacles I face are tiny compared to what these women had to face." 

While the U.S. Air Forces in Europe command sponsored Sergeant Dobberstein, Chief Master Sgt. Jeffrey Antwine, 39th ABW command chief, nominated her to attend. 

"Sergeant Dobberstein's volunteer work and attitude made her the obvious choice to attend this event," he said. "It was great to be able to send her." 

Among her volunteer work and off-duty responsibilities, Sergeant Dobberstein is a member of the Incirlik 5-6 Club, serves as the Adana-Incirlik Girl Scout Troop publicist and is a member of Incirlik's Views of Concerned Enlisted council. 

"I didn't have to be convinced that this symposium was a good thing; hopefully, it will turn into an annual event," said Sergeant Dobberstein. "I've been helped by so many people in so many ways since I've joined the Air Force. Attending the symposium was my way of saying 'thank you,'" said Sergeant Dobberstein. 

More information on this event and other Heritage to Horizons events may be found at www.afwomensymposium.afit.edu.