Stronger for it: Offutt Airman shares her journey with support of command team

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Jazmin Smith
  • 509th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Ashleigh Buch, the 338th Combat Training Squadron assistant flight chief, and Chief Master Sgt. Stephen Mallette, the 55th Intelligence Support Squadron chief enlisted manager, both assigned to Offutt Air Force Base, Neb., speak during a Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Pride Month forum at Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., June 6, 2017. During the event, Buch shared her experiences as the first transgender Airman on flying status to complete the transition process under the new policy and the importance of communication to create an open environment. The open forum allowed members of the audience to ask questions about her journey to gain a better understanding of the new policy. It also provided a leadership perspective on how together they navigated the year-and-a-half long process that helped mold the current policy today. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jazmin Smith)