UP CLOSE: Tech. Sgt. Blane Lopez

This week’s Up Close features Tech. Sgt. Blane Lopez, an air cargo technician with the 80th Aerial Port Squadron. Up Close is a series spotlighting individuals around Dobbins Air Reserve Base.

WHERE ARE YOU FROM?

Spring Lake, NC

WHY DID YOU JOIN?

I needed a job. Dad said get out of the house (Ha Ha) but seriously, I knew I was going to be in the Air Force because I grew up around the military. I was a military brat.

FAVORITE AIR FORCE EXPERIENCE?

That’s a hard question because there were so many. Becoming a parachute rigger, that’s my passion. I’d also have to say the best time that I had was being stationed in Germany. At Pope it was cool because I was stationed at home. I was happy, but my dad wasn’t (lol). He thought he got rid of me but I returned! But seriously, Germany was a great experience because of the people. I met so many cool friends over there. After I left in 1992, I lost track of a lot of my friends I used to skateboard with, until Facebook started up. We all reconnected and I got to see them when I went to Germany on annual tour.  

WHAT ARE YOUR HOBBIES?

Hunting, Fishing, Playing Drums, Skateboarding and Surfing. I’ve skateboarded the whole time I’ve been in the military. I still skate today.

BEST ADVICE EVER RECEIVED?

One of my chiefs when I was stationed in Pope said to me, “Don’t change who you are. Always be you.”

SOMETHING NOBODY KNOWS ABOUT YOU?

Now and then, I volunteer as a counselor at Victory Junction, a camp for kids who have life-threatening disabilities and illnesses. It’s an opportunity for them to have fun. I got into it a long time ago because I was a big NASCAR fan, and the camp was started after Kyle Petty’s son died. I typically work with the seven to eight-year-old age group. I’ve had kids with junior rheumatoid arthritis, hemophilia, spina bifida.