OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. -- In celebration of Women’s History Month, the 17th Operational Weather Squadron would like to shine the light on their first female commander, Lt. Col. Sarah J. Zimmerman.
To her command support team, she is much more than an ordinary commander. She’s a counselor, coach, mentor, cheerleader, punk rock lover, athlete, movie buff, mother, daughter and friend.
Zimmerman hopes that her example will demonstrate to all her Airmen that they can break barriers and have a successful career.
“I’m a firm believer that if you can see it, you can be it,” Zimmerman said. “I’m honored to be the first female commander of the Fightin’ Geckos and to show our Airmen what’s possible.”
The punk rocker in her is all about challenging societal norms, but she will also talk about the challenges she has faced as a stepmother and mother balancing the daily struggle of work and home life, especially during a global pandemic.
“If you asked 17-year-old Sarah if she ever imagined making a career out of the Air Force, like her father did, she would have said you were crazy,” Zimmerman said. “Now, with 17 years of service, Lt. Col. Sarah Zimmerman is stoked to be part of an Air Force that is making diversity and inclusion a priority and truly demonstrating to all our sisters and brothers in arms that they are valued and that they matter.”