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Three Members Whose History Goes Back to Elementary School

  • Published
  • By Maj. Karen Bogdan
  • 171st Air Refueling Wing
Coraopolis, Pa. --  Airman 1st Class Elizabeth Pagano, Airman 1st Class Johanna Maloney and Senior Airman Clarissa Fabus share a bond that goes far beyond being members of the 171st Air Refueling Wing.  Pagano and Fabus met when they were first grade classmates at Saint Germaine's Catholic School.  It was a few years later, while in the fourth grade, that the girls met Maloney when they all joined the Tiny Might Tennessee Orange squad of Bethel Park recreational cheerleading. 

Eventually, all three girls were students together at Bethel Park High School, where they all graduated in 2012.  In October of 2011, Fabus was the first to enlist with the 171st.  She had contemplated joining the Active Duty Air Force, but had family already at the wing.  Knowing a little bit about the 171st, she chose to sign a delayed enlistment there and went to Basic Training just two weeks after high school graduation.

It was nearly a year later that Pagano was contemplating military service; she too was planning to go into the Active Duty.  But Fabus stepped in and introduced her to the 171st and what the Guard had to offer.  As a result, Pagano enlisted with the wing in January of 2013. 

Maloney's story isn't too far off from the others.  She also was planning to go into Active service, she has an older brother who was in the Marine Corps at the time and she intended to follow in his footsteps.  But again, Fabus made the Guard introduction and that was the turning point for Maloney.  She enlisted with the 171st in December of 2013.

Pagano is assigned to the Logistics Readiness Squadron and works in the Small Air Terminal.  She helps to ensure personnel and cargo is safely transported on the KC-135s flown by the wing.  Maloney is assigned as a medical technician with the Medical Group.  Once she completes her technical training, she will work in the immunization clinic, helping to ensure the readiness of the force.  Fabus works as a personnel specialist in the Force Support Squadron.  She has most recently been working on updating and producing Department of Defense Form 214s, the form received by military members upon discharge from an Active Duty status.