Personal Narrative Manuscript/Mixed Material Photo, Print, Drawing Software, E-Resource Audio Recording Jaden J. Kim Collection

Veterans History Project Service Summary:
- War or Conflict: Iraq War, 2003-2011; Afghan War, 2001-
- Branch of Service: Marine Corps
- Service Unit/Ship: VMFA(AW)-121 (Marine All Weather Fighter Attack Squadron), 1st Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF)
- Highest Rank: Captain
- Collection Number: AFC/2001/001/37518
The first time that Marine Corps Captain Jaden Kim rode in a military aircraft, she nearly fell out of it in her excitement. Her passion for aviation led her to train as a "backseater"-a weapons system officer who coordinated target locations. Deploying first in 2002, she took part in Operation Enduring Freedom, flying missions over Afghanistan for six months; she deployed again in 2003 to assist in Operation Iraqi Freedom. In her interview, she discusses her sense of profound obligation and dedication to the ground troops she was supporting.
Jaden J. Kim Collection
Interview / Recording
Transcript
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PlayReporting to Quantico for Officer Candidate School (OCS); rigors of OCS. 00:03:37.0 - 00:06:26.0
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PlayDaily life and living conditions during OCS. 00:06:28.0 - 00:10:20.0
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PlayDescription of daily workouts and military jargon. 00:11:40.0 - 00:13:08.0
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PlayTraining with massive amounts of gear; learning the importance of attention to detail. 00:16:46.0 - 00:19:03.0
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PlayExperience training with an all-female platoon. 00:21:26.0 - 00:22:47.0
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PlayLearning that aviation was open to women; applying to flight school; getting in. 00:29:19.0 - 00:32:00.0
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PlayAdvanced training; deployments overseas. 00:35:18.0 - 00:39:02.0
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PlayArriving at Al-Jaber Air Base in Kuwait; extreme cold; primitive conditions. 00:39:04.0 - 00:39:36.0
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PlayDescription of her typical schedule as a night flier; mission planning; typical mission. Description of her typical schedule as a night flier; mission planning; typical mission. Description of her typical schedule as a night flier; mission planning; typical mission. Description of her typical schedule as a night flier; mission planning; typical mission. 00:39:39.0 - 00:44:04.0
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PlayDescription of response to flying missions in Iraq and being shot out; her focus on achieving mission goals overrode fear. 00:47:08.0 - 00:50:10.0
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PlayFeeling concern for troops on ground while she was flying missions; sometimes feeling powerless to help. 00:50:12.0 - 00:54:03.0
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PlayImportance of flight support staff to accomplishing missions; acknowledging that they are unsung heroes. 00:55:21.0 - 00:57:29.0
About this Item
Title
- Jaden J. Kim Collection
Names
- Women In Military Service For America Memorial Foundation, Inc. (WIMSA)
- Kim, Jaden J.
- Wilson, Eleanor M.
- Reborchuk, Margaret
Home State
- California
Headings
- - Kim, Jaden J.
- - Iraq War, 2003-2011 -- Personal Narratives
- - United States. Marine Corps.
- - Afghan War, 2001- -- Personal Narratives
- - United States. Marine Corps.
Repository
- Veterans History Project, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress
Gender
- Female
Race
- Asian
Status
- veteran
Service History
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Iraq War, 2003-2011
- Branch of Service: Marine Corps
- Military Status: veteran
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Afghan War, 2001-
- Branch of Service: Marine Corps
- Service Unit/Ship: VMFA(AW)-121 (Marine All Weather Fighter Attack Squadron), 1st Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF)
- Highest Rank: Captain
- Dates of Service: 1997
- Entrance into Service: Enlisted
- Military Status: veteran
Materials
- Audio: Audio Cassette [1 item] -- Oral history interview (collected 2003-10-14)
- Manuscript: Transcript [1 item] -- Typewritten document (collected 2003)
- Computer File: CD [1 item] -- Multiple types of electronic files (collected 2004; 2005-12-01)
Collection Number
- AFC/2001/001/37518
Online Format
- audio
- image
- online text