Page 36 - Senior Link Magazine Fall 2022 - Online Magazine
P. 36
Linda Jackson
“Richly Blessed”
by Jane Bromley
she earned a reputation of
being firm but fair. After three
years, she was selected to teach
at the Air Force Academy
in Colorado Springs. It was
1976, and the first class with
women was on board. As an
Associate Professor, Linda
taught leadership skills,
effective communication, and
working with superiors and
subordinates. “My four years
at the Air Force Academy was
Her first assignment was at a great assignment. I became
Laredo AFB – a pilot training more sure of my abilities, and I
base. At age 21, she found herself even learned how to ski.”
the administrative officer for
Organizational Maintenance. But, By then a senior captain, Linda
after two years of sitting behind was assigned to Langley AFB
a desk, she volunteered for in Virginia where she was
ultidimensional. That Southeast Asia. responsible for planning family
word summarizes
Mthe richness of Linda The young officer was sent support centers for every Tactical
Air Command (TAC) base.
Jackson's life. She enjoyed a to Korat Royal Thai AFB “Many TAC pilots had young,
lengthy career in the Air Force, as the Executive Officer for foreign-born wives who were
at a time when women came into the Munitions Maintenance often alone and unhappy while
their own. Her roots are deeply Squadron. “It was an adventure. their husbands were deployed.
embedded in middle America – I would often go to Bangkok We helped set up programs to
specifically Elkhart, KS, where by myself, and this Kansas girl support those young spouses.
she was born. Her country even got to ride an elephant.” We taught ESL and computer
upbringing prepared her for a A year later, she was sent to
diverse cultural career despite Torrejon AB in Madrid, Spain to
growing up on an isolated wheat serve as the Base Commander’s
farm. According to Linda, her Executive Officer. “It was a
dad, Leon Jackson, “raised me wonderful assignment. The
to believe I could do anything I Spaniards were wonderful hosts.
wanted to do.” The country was safe. We could
go to downtown Madrid at
After high school, Linda attended midnight with no fear.” During
Kansas State. KSU didn’t offer her two years in Spain, Linda
ROTC for women at that time, broadened her worldview by
but “I recruited for the Air Force traveling to many countries. That
during spring break of my senior deployment also afforded her the
year. My dad went with me to opportunity to earn her master’s
visit Williams Air Force Base, in Counseling Psychology.
and he was 100% supportive.”
After graduation, Linda attended At age 26, Linda was back at OTS
Officer Training School at in San Antonio, but this time to
Lackland AFB in San Antonio. teach. As a flight commander, Linda's father, Leon Jackson
36 Lubbock Senior Link
