Not just one of the guys

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Carlin Leslie
  • 509th Bomb Wing Public Affairs Office
LAS VEGAS --  As if taking on one of the world's most challenging and fast-paced firefighter competitions isn't difficult enough, try doing it as a female.

Senior Airman Megan Melanson, is doing just that as the only female member of the Whiteman Air Force Base team currently competing in the 2009 Scott Firefighter Combat Challenge.

Airman Melanson, at the urging of her former-Navy parents, joined the Air Force three years ago.

"They figured it would be a better career field for me than being on a boat," said Airman Melanson.

Airman Melanson already had an associate' s degree in accounting, but believed she needed a new challenge, something more physical. So when her recruiter offered her a job in firefighting, she felt it was exactly what she had been looking for.

While she knew it was predominantly a male career field, Airman Melanson said she was bound to become a part of the family, and prove that she was a valuable member of the team.

When she heard about the Combat Firefighter Competition, Airman Melanson tried out.

"It was very difficult, but I made the team," she said.

As part of their preparation for the competition, Airman Melanson and five of her team members traveled to Scott Air Force Base, Ill., to practice for the event.

Currently at the competition, Airman Melanson, is feeling the heat, but is enjoying the challenge.

"(The FCC) is very intimidating," she said. "Nerves rise, adrenaline is pumping, and when it's all over, you get this amazing sense of accomplishment, for succeeding at such a huge task."