Spartan Profiles: Judith Fedder

TOP GUN

            Traditionally, the U.S. Air Forces names former men aviators to assume the command of an airfield. But in August, when Col. Judith Fedder, ’80, took command of the 65th Air Base Wing, Lajes Field, Azores, Portugal, it marked the first time in history that a woman—and a non-aviator—assumed such a charge. As the sub-unified commander of U.S. Forces Azores, Fedder takes charge of a strategic base that plays a critical role in the operations in Afghanistan.

            A native of Manistee, Judith chose to attend MSU because, she explains, “It’s clearly the top notch university in Michigan.” At MSU, a dormmate swayed her towards AFROTC. “Next thing I knew I was wearing a blue uniform,” she recalls. “That was a life changer.”

            In her 20-year military career, she advanced to command the 31st Logistics Group at Aviano AFB, Italy, and was an officer in the Tactical Air Command. “Being an Air Force commander is a tremendous privilege,” she says. “After 20 years in uniform, I realize how lucky we are as Americans to have such motivated professionals devoting their lives to defending our way of life.”

            Judith currently is responsible for 2,500 Americans on a rock island 900 miles west of Lisbon—a place she describes as “an ideal stopping point for military aircraft transiting the Atlantic Ocean to or from where our troops are.”

            Judith credits her MSU education for her career success, and remembers MSU for its tough academic challenges, its variety of academic choices, and its fun and rewarding social life. “My fondest memories are of Spartan football games in the student spirit section,” she recalls. “I’m proud to report that I flipped cards for all four years. Another highlight was the NCAA basketball championship in 1979. Life was good!”