Latest news with #Annen
Yahoo
13-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Wichita veteran met husband in the Air Force after transferring to Alaska
CLEARWATER, Kan. (KSNW) — Two weeks ago, KSN introduced viewers to Whitewater veteran Mark Annen and his story of service. Now, the spotlight shifts to his wife, Christina Annen, who also served in the U.S. Air Force. Christina Annen is a Wichita native who graduated from East High School in 1985, feeling a strong pull toward military service. 'It was natural for me to go into the military,' Annen shared. 'I have lots of family that was in the military, and it is a good way to see the world. I love uniforms. I love being part of a group.' With that decision made, she carefully considered which branch to join. 'I knew that in basic training, the Air Force only required a mile-and-a-half run,' she said with a laugh. 'At that time, the Navy ran three miles, the Army ran 10, and the Marines ran 20. And I like blue — so the Air Force was the pick for me.' After completing basic training, Annen attended technical school to become an avionics guidance and control systems technician. 'If you see a movie about an airplane and a crash is going to happen, and they show the pilot's setup and all the indicators are going crazy, that's what I worked on,' she said. Her work took her to Oklahoma, where she maintained AWACS aircraft, and later to the Philippines, where she worked on F-4 fighter jets. While she loved the technical aspects of her job, she struggled with the sexism that was prevalent in the field. 'You couldn't be average,' Annen recalled. 'Because if you were average, you were a 'dumb female.' We had to put up with a lot of that.' Eventually, the hostile work environment prompted Annen to seek a different career path — without leaving the Air Force. She transferred to the postal unit and was stationed at a remote outpost in Galena, Alaska. 'I had no clue about Galena until I got off the plane at 10 o'clock at night, and it was still bright daylight outside,' she remembered. It was in Galena that she met fellow Air Force veteran Mark Annen. Their connection was immediate. 'We are big believers in Jesus,' she said. 'And when I saw him for the first time, a little voice inside my head said, 'That's the guy you're going to marry.'' They tied the knot on base, solidifying their bond as both service members and life partners. Annen left the Air Force in 1991 as a Buck Sergeant. When her husband completed his service, they returned to the Wichita area to build a life and raise a family. Now, reflecting on her journey, Annen deeply appreciates her home state and its support for veterans. 'I am so proud of Kansas for how they treat their veterans,' she said. 'I just don't know that they could do a much better job, honestly.' If you want to nominate a veteran for our Veteran Salute, send an email to connect3news@ or fill out our online contact form! Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Saba Yemen
13-02-2025
- Politics
- Saba Yemen
German minister: Gaza is Palestinian & will remain so
Ramallah - Saba: German Parliamentary State Secretary Niels Annen emphasized his country's firm position that Gaza is Palestinian and will remain so. In press statements quoted by the Palestinian Information Center on Thursday evening, the German minister stressed that Gaza is an integral part of the future Palestinian state, and decisions about Gaza must be Palestinian. The German minister's visit also included a tour of the city of Nablus to familiarize himself with the challenges faced by Palestinians in the West Bank. Annen emphasized Germany's continued commitment to supporting the recovery and development process in Palestine, its support for the Palestinian National Authority's plans for recovery and reconstruction in Gaza, and the importance of a Palestinian-led political process in Gaza. He noted that Germany has provided 302 million euros in humanitarian aid to Gaza Strip since October 7, 2023. He also expressed his deep concern about the deteriorating humanitarian and economic situation in the West Bank. He referred to the displacement of Palestinian refugees in the north. He stressed the importance of social and economic stabilization efforts in the region. Whatsapp Telegram Email Print
