Legacy Tanker Division FMS Chief spends downtime saving wetlands, writing books and giving back to her local community

  • Published
  • By Allyson B. Crawford, AFLCMC Public Affairs
TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. (AFLCMC) – Katie Ward likes to stay busy. During the day, she’s a civilian FMS Chief with the Legacy Tanker Division, part of the Mobility and Training Directorate at Tinker AFB. July will mark her 16th year working for the Air Force. She started after college as a Palace Acquire intern.

After hours she’s busy with several projects including writing, volunteering with Ducks Unlimited to protect wetlands, hunting and enjoying nature. Katie and her partner Randall renovated a farmhouse on a remote 40 acres. Clearing land, the couple was able to create new wetlands. They both hunt on their property and also grow wheat. The land is named Ring-necked Ranch after the ducks that visit often.

Katie says she communicates best by writing, so it is no surprise she is a published author. She gives some of the credit for getting the book published to a former Air Force supervisor. Milo in the Middle came out in the summer and the characters are all dogs. The story is aimed at young children.

“During an appraisal feedback, my last supervisor David Haas said his ‘last wish’ before he retired was to get my book published,” recalls Ward. “His confidence in me inspired me to get it published and it was published in July 2021. I actually hired a graphic design student from Oklahoma State to do the illustrations. I wanted to give a student experience so they could have a published book to add to their resume for when they graduate.”

When the pandemic began and teleworking became the norm, Katie was still commuting nearly an hour each way to Tinker. Her home is so isolated, no-high speed internet is available. She was issued a hotspot and can now telework. She has embraced remote work after first resisting it. Now Katie enjoys working while watching nature through her windows or even outside. She wrote a LinkedIn post about working from a duck blind, proving that productivity can happen from just about anywhere.

She still goes in to her office a couple times each week and also makes a point to plan gatherings to see her team in person.

“I have a great team. We have fun. I think we are considered the black sheep of the organization, and we are unique due to our different mission, but you won’t find a better team who will respond to taskers quickly, support teammates on the USAF side, or support each other.  We work hard together and we play hard together. I appreciate them,” Katie says proudly.

With her important Air Force role and many hobbies, Katie also took on a very serious project in recently completing her Doctor of Education at Oklahoma State University. Her area of expertise is Aviation and Space Education. The title of her dissertation is “Examination of Commercial Aerial Refueling As Part Of The National Defense Strategy.”

OSU transfers credit hours for military education related to dissertation topics, which helped Ward finish in 16 months. Katie is already using her terminal degree. Katie’s supervisor, Elizabeth Hottle, is very supportive and allows Katie the time to talk at area schools. This helps Katie give back to the community, even during normal working hours.

“I am currently working with the Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission going into high schools who are part of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) program and are teaching aviation as part of their curriculum,” explains Katie. “I am talking to students about non-flying careers, specifically working for the Air Force, whether as a federal employee or military and sharing my experiences.”

Katie is quick to say that careers in aviation without a four-year degree exist and are critical to the Air Force mission.

“I tell [the students] that if college isn’t something for them, they should consider going to their local vocational or technical school and get their airframe and powerplant mechanic (A&P). We can’t keep our planes flying without the mechanics and other personnel on the floor turning wrenches and providing support during Programmed Depot Maintenance (PDM)” Katie adds.

Katie is working with Seminole State College to develop curriculum for an Associate’s degree program in aviation. She is also on the curriculum board at Spartan College of Aeronautics. 

“I think I found my purpose in life. I love workforce development.”

When time and weather permit, Katie likes to take lunchtime walks around her land with her dogs. Her cat, George Washington, even goes along with the group.

Katie and Randall have big goals for their land and the end of their clearing and wetland cleanup project is starting to come to light. The duo want to build a barndominium and use their farmhouse as a bed and breakfast for seniors.

“My dream is to have retirees come stay at our old farmhouse and sit on the porch and listen to them tell stories of their childhood, marriage and more. Both Randall and I love older people and can’t wait to share our space with them as they travel through Oklahoma,” says Katie.