HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah — Today’s spotlight is U.S. Air Force veteran Andrew J. Kalinen.

Andrew was an Air Force dependent, so his family moved often, but he spent much of his youth in Andover, Vermont and Portsmouth, New Hampshire.

He enlisted in the Air Force in March 1985, and served 10 years, obtaining the rank of staff sergeant. He separated with an honorable discharge in June 1995.

Andrew served during the end of the Cold War, through President Bush’s War on Drugs, and while America was engaged in Desert Storm. His work was primarily administrative. He was stationed at Luke AFB, Arizona; Izmir Air Station, Turkey; and Pease AFB, N.H. He ended his career at Hill AFB, Utah, where he worked at the Ogden Air Logistics Complex.

Andrew said one highlight of his career was being awarded an incentive flight in an F-16, at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona.

“I also loved living in Izmir, Turkey,” Andrew said. “I have a couple memories of the Turkish people wanting to protect us from terrorist threats and this was many years before 9/11.”

Upon separating from the military, Andrew has continued his service working as a Wingman Advocate with maintenance groups at Hill Air Force Base.

Andrew now resides in West Jordan, Utah, and enjoys spending time with his wife and their dogs, cats and snake. He and his wife are very involved with animal rescue, which both find “rewarding.” Andrew has recently discovered CrossFit here at the Hill AFB Warrior Center, which he really enjoys and encourages others to attend.

Thank you for your service Andrew.