'Warriors of the Week'

  • Published
MOUNTAIN HOME AIR FORCE BASE, ID. --  Major Ron Berzins

Unit and occupation: Assistant director of operations with the 389th Fighter Squadron 

Time in the service: 11 years, three months 

Time at Mountain Home Air Force Base: Two years, two months 

Hometown: St. Joseph, Mich. 

Hobbies: Hunting, fishing and preparing wild game. 

Most memorable Air Force experience: "Facing the reality of having to draw my weapon after I spotted a person acting suspiciously while my vehicle convoy was traveling through Kabul, Afghanistan. As I clutched the M-16 in my hands wondering what his intentions where, it drove home the point why I serve and why we need to face terrorism in countries like Afghanistan and Iraq versus having to face this threat in our own country." 

What service do you provide to Gunfighters? "As an F-16 pilot, my mission is to suppress enemy air defenses so the Boars and Bold Tigers of the 390th and 391st fighter squadrons can prosecute their targets uncontested from ground threats." 

Interesting fact: "I'm a first generation American." 

Why does Major Berzins deserve to be a warrior of the week? "Major Berzins epitomizes the 'can do' attitude of the Gunfighters. He shows up for work every day eager to improve his lethality in order to contribute to the Gunfighter's role in the War on Terror."