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AFTC honors Women's History Month: interview with Col. Sebrina Pabon

  • Published
  • By Tiffany Holloway
  • Air Force Test Center Public Affairs
EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  

Continuing with celebrating Women’s History Month, we are highlighting Col. Sebrina Pabon, the first female and second flight test engineer U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School Commandant. She also made history during her tenure here as having the largest class of female test pilots at TPS. Pabon joined Tiffany Holloway, AFTC public affairs director for a question and answer session.

Holloway: During my research about you, I read that you are “no stranger to TPS and Edwards. Pabon graduated from Desert High School on Edwards prior to commissioning as an Air Force officer.”  Are you a military brat? Did you know that you wanted to be in the Air Force in High School? What did you major in?

Pabon: I am indeed a military brat.  My father served 26 years in the Air Force and we moved to Edwards Air Force Base right before my junior year of high school.  I did not grow up wanting to go into the military, but I knew that college was expensive so when I learned about ROTC scholarships, I thought that was a perfect way to have minimal debt and a guaranteed job when I graduated college.  I majored in electrical engineering and was not sure exactly what that entailed when I selected it, but as the years went on I really enjoyed my electrical engineering coursework and was glad that was the discipline I had chosen.

Holloway: I find it interesting to know what prompts people to join the military. It’s a great career choice that a lot of people shy away from because of what they see on television or movies. How long have you been in the Air Force?

Pabon: I only planned to stay in the Air Force for four years as required pay back for my education, but I had amazing jobs and opportunities that would not have been possible if I left.  I have now been in the Air Force for almost 22 years and the Commandant since July. 

Holloway: That’s awesome! Moving on to the next question. There might be a young officer or young enlisted Airman who is still trying to figure out their career path. What was your career path? What was your initial thought when you found out that you would be here at Edwards as the TPS Commandant?

Pabon: I started as an electrical engineer in the developmental engineering career field for the first 6 years of my Air Force career at Wright Patterson AFB.  I then attended Test Pilot School and transitioned to the flight test engineer career field.  I remained in the test community serving in multiple test organizations including the 416th FLTS and back here on staff at TPS.  I also served as director of Operations for a flight test squadron and had the opportunity to serve INDOPACOM in the J8 working on future capabilities for the Indo-Pacific region. 

When I found out that I would be coming back to Edwards as the TPS Commandant I was very excited and extremely humbled.  This is my third time living at Edwards so it was a chance to come back home and support the team developing our next generation of test professionals.

Holloway: What’s your favorite course that is taught at TPS? Why?

Pabon: Oh wow, that’s a tough one.  I would have to say the Qualitative Evaluation part of the curriculum where we give the students one flight in an array of platforms such as DC-3, UH-1 and HU-16.  These flights expose students to aircraft with varying handling qualities and performance and are an amazing learning opportunity for them.  

Holloway: Being in a male dominated field, what advice do you give up and coming female Airmen and Guardians?

Pabon: Just to be yourself and do the best job you can.  If you are confident and competent your peers will respect you and the skills you bring to the team. 

Holloway: Being a test pilot or test engineer is a very niche position, how did you overcome challenges faced?

Pabon: It was not always easy, but hard work, consistent performance and great mentorship led to amazing opportunities and the best job in the Air Force!   

Holloway: Okay, last question. If you could go back in time when you were being commissioned at a lieutenant, what motivational one-liner would you give yourself?

Pabon: To do the best at the job I am given no matter what it is and to always take time to enjoy life!

Slide show

AFTC honors Women's History Month: interview with Col. Sebrina Pabon

  • Published
  • By Tiffany Holloway
  • Air Force Test Center Public Affairs
EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  

Continuing with celebrating Women’s History Month, we are highlighting Col. Sebrina Pabon, the first female and second flight test engineer U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School Commandant. She also made history during her tenure here as having the largest class of female test pilots at TPS. Pabon joined Tiffany Holloway, AFTC public affairs director for a question and answer session.

Holloway: During my research about you, I read that you are “no stranger to TPS and Edwards. Pabon graduated from Desert High School on Edwards prior to commissioning as an Air Force officer.”  Are you a military brat? Did you know that you wanted to be in the Air Force in High School? What did you major in?

Pabon: I am indeed a military brat.  My father served 26 years in the Air Force and we moved to Edwards Air Force Base right before my junior year of high school.  I did not grow up wanting to go into the military, but I knew that college was expensive so when I learned about ROTC scholarships, I thought that was a perfect way to have minimal debt and a guaranteed job when I graduated college.  I majored in electrical engineering and was not sure exactly what that entailed when I selected it, but as the years went on I really enjoyed my electrical engineering coursework and was glad that was the discipline I had chosen.

Holloway: I find it interesting to know what prompts people to join the military. It’s a great career choice that a lot of people shy away from because of what they see on television or movies. How long have you been in the Air Force?

Pabon: I only planned to stay in the Air Force for four years as required pay back for my education, but I had amazing jobs and opportunities that would not have been possible if I left.  I have now been in the Air Force for almost 22 years and the Commandant since July. 

Holloway: That’s awesome! Moving on to the next question. There might be a young officer or young enlisted Airman who is still trying to figure out their career path. What was your career path? What was your initial thought when you found out that you would be here at Edwards as the TPS Commandant?

Pabon: I started as an electrical engineer in the developmental engineering career field for the first 6 years of my Air Force career at Wright Patterson AFB.  I then attended Test Pilot School and transitioned to the flight test engineer career field.  I remained in the test community serving in multiple test organizations including the 416th FLTS and back here on staff at TPS.  I also served as director of Operations for a flight test squadron and had the opportunity to serve INDOPACOM in the J8 working on future capabilities for the Indo-Pacific region. 

When I found out that I would be coming back to Edwards as the TPS Commandant I was very excited and extremely humbled.  This is my third time living at Edwards so it was a chance to come back home and support the team developing our next generation of test professionals.

Holloway: What’s your favorite course that is taught at TPS? Why?

Pabon: Oh wow, that’s a tough one.  I would have to say the Qualitative Evaluation part of the curriculum where we give the students one flight in an array of platforms such as DC-3, UH-1 and HU-16.  These flights expose students to aircraft with varying handling qualities and performance and are an amazing learning opportunity for them.  

Holloway: Being in a male dominated field, what advice do you give up and coming female Airmen and Guardians?

Pabon: Just to be yourself and do the best job you can.  If you are confident and competent your peers will respect you and the skills you bring to the team. 

Holloway: Being a test pilot or test engineer is a very niche position, how did you overcome challenges faced?

Pabon: It was not always easy, but hard work, consistent performance and great mentorship led to amazing opportunities and the best job in the Air Force!   

Holloway: Okay, last question. If you could go back in time when you were being commissioned at a lieutenant, what motivational one-liner would you give yourself?

Pabon: To do the best at the job I am given no matter what it is and to always take time to enjoy life!

Edwards provides care, opportunities for children aged six weeks through high school graduation

Edwards provides care, opportunities for childrenaged six weeks through high school graduation

The Child and Youth Program at Edwards AFB provides care and opportunities for kids ages six weeks old through high school graduation. A brief summary of those services follows:

  •                    The Child Development Center cares for children ages 6 weeks to 5 years, with a DOD-wide curriculum. The curriculum is focused on learning through play activities supporting social, emotional, physical and intellectual development. Installations across DOD follow the curriculum on the same timeline to allow seamless permanent change-of-station transitions for youth enrolled in care.
  •                    The School Age Center provides before and after-school care and summer camp for children ages 5 to 12. During school breaks, full-day camps are offered. SAC promotes cognitive, social, emotional, cultural, language and physical development through programs that encourage self-confidence, curiosity, self-discipline and resiliency.
  •                    The open recreation program at the Main Youth Center provides a safe space for ages 9 to 12 to attend after school. Programs include Power Hour, STEM, Torch Club, social recreation, youth camps, special events and more.
  •                    The youth sports program provides intro and league opportunities for ages 3 to 12, and promotes inclusiveness, self-discipline, commitment, resiliency and social skills. There are four sports offered annually for ages five to 12: baseball/softball, soccer, flag football and basketball. Smart start programs are available to ages 3 to 5. There are many other sports and camps offered throughout the year.
  •                    The Teen Center is available for ages 13 to 18 during the school year. Programs offered include Military Youth of the Year, Keystone Club, social recreation, STEM activities, college trips, leadership camps and more.
  •                    Youth programs (SAC, open rec and teen) are affiliated with the Boys and Girls Clubs of America and 4-H.
  •                    Family Child Care homes – there are currently three FCC homes on the installation. They can provide care for ages two weeks to 12 years. FCC providers are trained by Child and Youth Program training and curriculum specialists and have the flexibility to determine their hours of operation and the ages of youth within their care. The program’s new dedicated manager, Jennifer Stegmann, may be reached at 661-275-7529.

Although CDC enrollment capacity is 317, not all slots are currently filled because of a shortage of childcare workers. School Age Center enrollment capacity is 156. After-school care enrollment is 130. Before-school care enrollment is 75. Summer Camp 2022 was at its capacity and enrollment for Summer Camp 2023 opens April 3.