SPC Santellanes is currently assigned as a Forward Area Air Defense Army Airspace Command and Control (FAAD A2C2), with HHB Battery, 1-174th Air Defense Artillery Regiment.
Throughout training in preparation for deployment to the National Capital Region, SPC Santellanes displayed enthusiasm and motivation enhancing her understanding and knowledge as an Air Battle Manager. She conducted hundreds of simulations leading up to the unit’s initial evaluated training exercise.
During EAS, she expanded her skills by transitioning from her initial role as a Forward Area Air Defense Air Battle Management Operation Center Operator to the role of FAAD A2C2 assuming additional responsibilities and duties. She seamlessly adapted to the position, thus allowing her to assist members of her team and ensure their overall success. She continued to demonstrate her dedication to learning and support to team members during Culminating Training Exercise at Fort Bliss, Texas in June 2023.
In the NCR SPC Santellanes has played a crucial role as a FAAD A2C2, supporting the Joint Air Defense Operations Center’s mission by ensuring soldiers remained trained and prepared to fight during Falcon Virgo, Falcon Gain, and Distributed Mission Operation (DMO) exercises. Despite facing varying degrees of adversity, SPC Santellanes displayed remarkable adaptability by seamlessly transitioning between teams to fill the role of FAAD A2C2 whenever a vacancy arose.
SPC Santellanes has shown her ability to lead and take charge by improving processes, procedures, and systems during missions ensuring documentation is streamlined and readily accessible. In addition to her operational duties, she has coordinated holiday events and potlucks to boost the morale of her fellow servicemembers, both Soldiers and Airmen, fostering a positive and cohesive unit environment.
She began her military service in 2021 in the Ohio National Guard as an Air Defense Battle Management System Operator (14G). In addition to deploying to the NCR, SPC Santellanes has also mobilized to NTC located in Fort Irwin, California, where she served as a part of a Platoon size, acting as the Air Defense subject matter experts to support the training of fellow National Guardsmen.
While in the NCR, SPC Santellanes completed an Associate’s of Art Degree from Edison State Community College and began working towards obtaining a bachelor’s degree in marketing, showcasing her commitment to personal and professional development.
