John Furnas

Michigan Air National Guard 2005-2017

I joined the Michigan Air National Guard in June 2005 as I wanted to serve my Country and remain in School. I had always been interested in aircraft and I wanted to follow in the footsteps of my brother and grandfather who both served in the Air Force.

By June of 2006, I had completed basic training / technical school and started my aircraft electrical and environmental systems apprenticeship on the C-130. By 2007 my unit switched airframes and I began to work on the KC-135 tanker. In early 2009 I had the opportunity to take a full-time position as an aircraft electrician and environmental systems technician (E&E). It is a unique opportunity where instead of performing drills once a month, I was able to wear the uniform every day doing the work I enjoyed. I continued to train earning my 5 level (journeyman) and eventually my 7 level (craftsman) certification and became the E/E shop Chief. I completed two overseas deployments to Qatar in 2011 and 2014 and many trips to Europe and Alaska. I thoroughly enjoyed troubleshooting aircraft electrical systems but was forced to sperate in 2017 due to an injury I sustained on deployment.

I have met many great people and learned countless lifelong lessons from my time in the service.