Barbara J. Exum

Barbara J. Exum enlisted in the United States Air Force on April 27, 1977. Upon completion of basic training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas, she was assigned as a Materiel Facilities Specialist. 

Ms. Exum’s first duty station was the 96th Supply Squadron, Dyess Air Force Base in Abilene, Texas. While there, she supported the 96th Bombardment Wing, identifying and inspecting property prior to issuing to maintenance activities to ensure that the bomb wing was able to meet their missions on time. 

Throughout her military career, Ms. Exum was stationed at the following bases: Kunsan Air Base, Korea; George Air Force Base, Victorville, California; McGuire Air Force Base, Wrightstown, New Jersey; Suwon Air Base, Korea; Howard Air Force Base, Panama; Minot Air Force Base, Minot, North Dakota; and Ramstein Air Base, Germany. 

In 1984, Ms. Exum deployed to Goose Bay Air Force Base in Labrador, Canada. In that capacity, she performed shelf life inspection of dated items and retrieved samples for laboratory testing in order to prevent deterioration and permit maximum use of dated assets in war reserve spare kits. 

On April 17, 1996, Ms. Exum deployed to Dhahran Air Base, Saudi Arabia, in support of Operation Southern Watch. There, she coordinated with maintenance on accruing reparable components, periodic component exchanges and acquisitioning materials required for equipment modification. As a result, the early warning aircraft were able to fly their sorties without interruptions in support of the Joint Task Force Southwest Asia. Ms. Exum was also stationed at Khobar Towers at the time of the bombing, and for her dedication to the mission she received the Expeditionary Medal.

After 20 years of service, Barbara J. Exum retired from the United States Air Force, achieving the rank of Technical Sergeant. She is a member of Traveler Rest Baptist Church in New York City.