The NYC Veterans Oral History Project: Andrea Figueroa

Andrea Figueroa served in the United States Air Force from 1998 to 2003. Growing up, Ms. Figueroa was torn between flying planes and becoming a veterinarian. She soon realized she couldn’t stand the sight of blood, and joined the Air Force instead. Ms. Figueroa worked in radio communication and was stationed with her best friend in Alaska for two and a half years, where it was very cold. She enjoyed the more relaxing pace of night shifts. Eventually Ms. Figueroa was transferred to Florida, and eventually was deployed to Uzbekistan where she monitored the airways and supported soldiers in nearby conflict zones. She enjoyed her time in the military, and emphasized how everyone played an important part, and that everyone’s job, no matter how small, made a difference.