SIOUX CITY, Iowa —Andrea Humbertson loves all things aviation, from combat flights in the Army to now flying patients for Siouxland's Wings Air Rescue air ambulance.
"It's a feel good job. You get to help people and you get to fly," said Humbertson.
She added, there's always something new and she thrives on that.
"It's always a challenge. And I think that's why I got into aviation in the first place, and it was a challenge to see if I could do it," said Humbertson.
And she did do it.
"Total of 15 years," said Humbertson.
And in those 15 years, she's also flown a Black Hawk helicopter while serving in the U.S. Army.
"This is a Bell 07 helicopter and this is a newer version, we've got glass cockpits here so you have engine displays as well as the moving map display," said Humbertson.
A display she calls her second home.
"And we typically fly around a thousand feet," said Humbertson.
Originally from Florida, Humbertson moved to Siouxland a month ago, becoming the first female pilot for Wings Air Rescue, a helicopter medical transport service providing 24/7 emergency critical care.
"All in all it's rewarding because you're doing something good for somebody else," said Humbertson who credits the strong companionship and camaraderie in the Wings Air Rescue team, a sentiment echoed by Leonardo Mijares, a flight paramedic.
"Definitely a privilege for her and for us also, having the first female pilot in this area," said Mijares.
"You can do, you can be whatever you want to be, and don't let anyone tell you anything different," said Humbertson.
As for the future, Humbertson plans on flying helicopters in Siouxland for a couple more years but is sure that whatever the future holds for her, she'll be spending at least part of it in the air.
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