IN FOCUS: Senior Airman Fabiola Choto

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Crystal Charriere
  • 419th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah --  Senior Airman Fabiola Choto is a traffic management officer in the 419th Logistics Readiness Squadron. Her father served in the El Salvador military before he came to the U.S. in pursuit of a more stable family life, but Choto never saw herself following in his footsteps. Today, she's served for almost three years. Public affairs recently sat down with Choto to learn more about her.

Why did you decide to join the Air Force Reserve?

My father always told stories about serving in the El Salvador civil war, but joining the military was something I never thought I would do. Soon after I met my husband, I started hanging out with his friends who were both in the military. They would talk about their jobs and it started to grow on me, then one day it just clicked. I thought, "I'm not doing anything interesting with my life, I need money for school, and I would have more discipline in my life." I also wanted to raise my kids in a different environment, and the military offered structure.

Why did your father choose to come to the U.S.?

He realized he wanted a more stable life for my mother so they could raise a family together. It took him seven days to travel to the U.S. alone. Since he had some survival training with the El Salvador military, he was able to make it here safely. Later, he hired someone to bring my mother here, since she probably wouldn't have been able to travel that far alone.

Do you have other family members from El Salvador?

Yes, my husband came here from El Salvador, and we actually met in a Latin club. He saw me with my friends and asked me to do the bachata dance with him. He's also in the LRS as a vehicle management analysis craftsman.

Tell me about your job in the wing.

I'm in charge of paperwork related to transporting things like cargo, F-22 parts, aircraft and personal property. Most of the time we're moving a member's personal property when they transfer to another base.

What do you do as a civilian?

I'm currently trying to get into a nursing program at Weber State University, and I'm also working at BBH Consulting, Inc. I'm in charge of keeping records on items used to build and maintain F-22s. I sign out tools and equipment to electricians, painters or mechanics and keep an inventory of everything in the warehouse.