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To alleviate language barriers while deployed, the Air Force relies on translators. These barriers quickly become obvious while supporting and acting in conjunction with allied partners and civilians one might encounter in a foreign country.
Translators play an important role in getting through language barriers while supporting allied operations.
Senior Airman Julie Bersinger, 86th Medical Operations Squadron medical technician, was presented with an opportunity many don’t encounter: the opportunity to work outside her normal job and be a translator in Africa.
“I fell into a lucky situation,” Bersinger said. “I have an opportunity to use my skills in French to enable people from the base to fully and successfully communicate with the local community on my upcoming deployment.”
Bersinger is tasked with supporting U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa’s mission with the use of her talent: speaking another language. In her role, Bersinger needs to be fully available at a moment’s notice to help and assist in anyway possible.
“I’m here to alleviate language barriers on and off base, but I’m still a trained medical technician,” Bersinger said. “My priority is of course to accomplish my mission of translating, helping build foreign relations and reinforcing international bonds, however, if a situation arises where my medical training can contribute to the mission, then there shouldn’t be a reason for me not to.”
Ramstein’s pediatrics office expects her to perform to her fullest as a translator. However they will miss having her spark in the office while she is deployed.
“The pediatrics office will definitely miss having her around,” said Tech. Sgt. Mariah Pike, 86th Airlift Wing self-aid and buddy care adviser and Bersinger’s supervisor. “We are fully confident in what we believe she will accomplish while gone, and we are sure she will represent not only the 86th MDOS but Ramstein fantastically while deployed.”
There are quite a few standards Bersinger’s leaders expect her to meet, but she is ready to accept the challenge ahead, Pike said.
“I am looking forward to working as a translator and using my skills as a medical technician in another location to further the Air Force’s global impact and foster foreign and allied relations,” Bersinger said.
