10/22/2026
✈️Airman Spotlight✈️
Master Sgt. Tia Kaufman is an aircraft mechanic with the 193d Special Operations Maintenance Squadron. A New Galilee, Pennsylvania, native, Kaufman joined the Pennsylvania Air National Guard in May 2016, but her military service began in 2004.
“I joined the Air National Guard in 2004,” she said. “Since then, I have been a member of the Ohio, Alaska and Wyoming National Guard, and finally the Pennsylvania Air National Guard. I joined Pennsylvania Air National Gurad in Harrisburg for multiple reasons: to be closer to family, the C-130 airframe, and a unique Special Operations mission set.”
Kaufman was recognized by her leadership recently for commanding nightshift operations during a real-world activation tasking. She fluidly balanced responsibilities as shift supervisor, expeditor, and lead mechanic to sustain continuous 24/7 maintenance, guaranteeing the successful generation of seven activated aircraft.
Kaufman also proactively filled a critical supervisory void within the Electrical and Environmental Systems shop, establishing structured communication pathways and individualized training roadmaps for the junior team while regular supervision was deployed.
Kaufman said the 193rd Special Operations Wing’s mission is her favorite part of serving in the Pennsylvania National Guard.
“When I first got here, we had the Commando Solo mission, and I deployed with the unit in 2017, learning even more about what makes it special,” she said. “Once we received the MC mission, the tempo increased, training standards became more challenging, TDYs, and deployment requirements have also changed. My favorite part of serving in this unit is the challenge. Most units have done their mission for years, the 193rd had adapted and overcome every obstacle, every policy they want to change and make better. The phrase ‘this is the way we have always done it’ is not said here.”
Kaufman said she is proud to serve in the National Guard because it makes a difference at home and abroad.
“The Guard is family," she said. "The 193rd is a unique family because we have multiple homes that give us the opportunity to impact multiple communities: State College, Fort Indiantown Gap and Middletown.”
