445th ASTS medical services craftsman reflects on career

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Amelia Gillies
  • 445th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

Master Sgt. Litittia Cofie, 445th Aeromedical Staging Squadron medical service craftsman and career advisor, enlisted in the U.S. Air Force July 21, 2000, and after 22 years, she completed her final unit training assembly weekend with the 445th Airlift Wing June 4 and 5, 2022.

Cofie is a civilian nurse and has served as a traditional reservist at the 445th for her entire Air Force career. She agreed to sit down on her final weekend of service and share some of her experiences during her Air Force journey, as well as some advice for new Airmen.

Cofie’s father served in the Ghana Navy and supported her desire to join the military here in the U.S., although he would have preferred that she join the Navy, she admits with a wry smile. With her enlistment in the Air Force, Cofie became the first female member of her family to serve in the military.

“It empowered me,” says Cofie. “It made me feel like I was doing something for my country.”

Cofie immigrated from Ghana in 1998 without her family. Having grown up in a country that was vastly different to the United States, the move impacted the way she approached her life and service in the U.S.

“You look at things differently when you come from another culture, but many immigrants serve proudly. We had the opportunity to come here, and we understand the cost of freedom,” says Cofie. “I am really proud of serving this country and grateful for having been given the opportunity to serve.”

Cofie completed two deployments to Germany; one for 120 days, and the other for a year. She said at that time, the base in Germany was a hub for transporting injured service members from the Middle East and so it was a real opportunity to use both her civilian and Air Force training.

Cofie was also the first female in her family to obtain a bachelor’s degree, completing her studies in nursing, an area she hoped to pursue further within the Air Force.

“I was injured on deployment and had to have two surgeries,” says Cofie with a grimace. “I had to reassess what I wanted, and what my future would be.”

Cofie had initially planned to commission, but to do so would have meant leaving the 445th and the life she had built here. In addition, the injuries she sustained on deployment further complicated that course of action.

“I had roots here, and family,” says Cofie smiling as she mentions them and talking about her decision to stay at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. “In the military there are often growing pains and moments of indecision and in those times, you need to look inside yourself and ask, why did you make this commitment?”

When asked about what advice she would give to newer Airmen just beginning their Air Force journey, Cofie is more than willing to share and having served as a career advisor for many years she has helped Airmen through all kinds of situations.

“Being in the military is more than just wearing the uniform,” says Cofie with a grin. “Military life is not easy, it’s a real commitment. Be open-minded and take your career for what it is. The world is changing and the mission you knew might be different from what the mission will become, so be flexible.”

Cofie smiles warmly as she reminisces about her experiences with the Air Force Reserve, about Airmen she has had the opportunity to help along the way, and about the career and the family she has built in that time.

“You have to find your balance, especially in the Reserve, between your civilian life and your commitment to the Air Force,” says Cofie. But it’s been 22 years, and it’s been good.”