Page 53 - World Airnews Magazine May 2020 Edition

NEWS DIGITAL

A DIFFERENT KIND OF PATRIOT

By Nick Nuccio

director of the USC Aviation
Safety and Security Programme
The Inabas are a - provided for her so much
picture-perfect, all-American that she nominated him for a
family. Holly Inaba is a national award.
programme manager for “I am extremely honoured to
the USC Aviation Safety and support my husband’s service.”
Security Programme, while her Inaba wrote in her nomination
statement. “But supporting him
husband, Col. Mark Inaba, is a would not be possible if it were
member of the California Army not for my supervisor’s help
National Guard. They have two and understanding.”
daughters, Alexis and Greer. She continued, “Anthony is
But when Mark is spon- a true American patriot who
taneously called to fulfil his considers it an honour to
obligation to his country, Holly support and recognize those
is left stranded with two young who serve in our country.”
children and a full-time job. The department of defence’s
“Managing the family without employer support of the
him and working full time can Guard and Reserve division
be difficult and stressful,” she agreed with her and presented
said. As Holly leaves for work Anthony with the Patriot Award Ernest Cowell (left), a volunteer at the DOD employer
around 4.45 am, Mark is the in January 2020. support of the Guard and Reserve, presents Thomas
only one who can get their “I was completely over- Anthony with his Patriot award. Photo credit: Holly Inaba
daughters, aged five and seven whelmed and honoured,”
years old, ready for school. Anthony said. he came back
Mark has been called to duty As director of the USC to academia,
many times, travelling as far Aviation Safety and Security bringing with
away as France and Germany. Programme, Anthony is him a healthy
When Mark is away, there is no aware of the importance of knowledge of
one to help with the children maintaining a good relationship aviation safety
unless Holly does some serious with the military. Started in and a strong
shifting of her work schedule. 1952 in conjunction with the respect for
“It’s also hard on the girls US Air Force, the programme the struggles
who miss him terribly,” said has been at the forefront of of the military
Holly. “I have been told by groundbreaking research into reserve
teachers that they both seem protecting American military members he
affected while their father is pilots from deadly harm. works with.
away.” “We see it as our role to be “I guess I
“You have to make an effort the thought leader in aviation helped create
to overcome the distance and safety, to be involved in all the this problem in
the absence, and we work very newest innovative ideas that my old job,” he
hard to do so,” said Holly. exist in aviation,” said Anthony. quips.
“Mark leaves little surprises “Our relationship with the Anthony has
and notes around the house for military is continuous. Military nothing but
us to find while he is away. Just schools send delegates to us to praise for Holly
as the girls and I leave notes check the currency of their own Inaba, who
and treats for him to find inside curriculum and update it with leads the effort Left to right: Greer, Holly, Alexis, Mark,
of his uniform pockets, boots, the newest developments.” to get USC and Leland Inaba. Photo credit Holly Inaba
and gear.” Anthony was born and raised safety courses
Luckily, Holly has never felt in Pasadena, California, and be- in military “Being cognisant of how to
less than completely supported gan his career as a high school bases around the country. “We support a military family is very
by her employers at USC when teacher. He then transitioned recently had a course brought important to me as a manager,”
she needs to change her work to a long career at the Federal to a missile defence agency said Anthony. “It is incumbent
schedule to support her family. Aviation Administration, in Virginia,” he said. “Holly upon us to work with each
In fact, she appreciated the eventually becoming the FAA was able to get us through the of these families, to make
accommodations that her division manager for civil tightest security in the history their difficult transition go as
manager, Thomas Anthony - aviation security. After retiring, of our program.” smoothly as possible.” Q

World Airnews | May Extra 2020
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