U.S. Air Force Captain/GS-12 Paris M. Krula is the director of operations for the 714th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron (Reserve), and was recently selected to “dual hat” for the 605th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron (Active Duty) at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehust in New Jersey.
In this full-time position, Krula is responsible for the training, health, welfare, morale, mission effectiveness and proper utilization of 675 active duty, Air Reserve technicians, traditional Reservists and civilian employees. She oversees aircraft generation and flight line maintenance for two military platforms: 20 KC-10 Stratotankers, Air Mobility Command’s advanced tanker/cargo aircraft designed to provide increased global mobility for U.S. Armed Forces, as well as seven KC- 46 Pegasus aircraft, which is the Boeing 767- 2C configured to be the world’s most advanced aerial refueler.
To Krula, working in aviation means being surrounded by likeminded professionals who lead high risk teams through diverse challenges. What she enjoys most is witnessing individuals succeed both personally and professionally. Krula is passionate about two things: people and planes. “I specifically love developing humans, removing barriers for my mechanics in an effort to provide fully mission capable aircraft to accomplish our nation’s business,” she said.
Early on, she had planned to be an American Sign Language interpreter – until she had a taste of flight, then joined a local Women in Aviation chapter. Prior to joining the Air Force, Krula held civilian management jobs in aviation. While living in San Diego, she oversaw ground operations for Virgin America (KSAN) and later was the assistant airport manager at Gillespie Field (KSEE).
Krula received her Air Force commission in 2015 at Maxwell AFB and since then has filled several full-time Reserve assignments. Today she is also a contractor with Comlux Aviation, managing a Boeing 777 charter.
Recently she was chosen from the USAF maintenance officer community to overhaul the Maintenance Officer Intermediate Course and create the Nuclear, ICBM, and Conventional Maintenance Officer Intermediate Course, utilizing competency-based learning at the Air Force Logistics Officer School, Sheppard Air Force Base, Wichita Falls, Texas.
Her goals include becoming a squadron commander, possibly an aide-de-camp for a general officer; completing her master’s degree in Military Leadership, with long-term goals of continuing her USAF career though retirement. Following retirement, she intends to become an executive for a private aviation company or a legacy airline.
“As the private airline industry is recovering gradually from COVID-19, the stability of military aviation/federal employment provides piece of mind for service members/contractors and federal civilians,” she said. “This has been eye-opening to someone who has always held civilian jobs in aviation. I feel grateful that I was able to secure full-time employment with the USAF as an Air Reserve technician.”
