Staff Sgt. Tessa Hickerson is the Aircrew Flight Equipment Technician for the F-22 Demonstration Team and a member of the 1st Operations Support Squadron. As an Aircrew Flight Equipment Technician, she is responsible for ensuring all flight and safety equipment is in perfect working order for all F-22 and T-38 pilots at Langley Air Force Base, Virginia. Hickerson represents the United States Air Force, and the Department of Defense at more than 20 air shows annually. Her mission is to ensure the aircrew has quality survival and safety equipment to perform a demonstration so that millions of spectators can see the F-22’s air superiority.
Hickerson enlisted in the Air Force in August 2020. She is a native of Rabun County, Georgia and graduated from Upson Lee High School in 2012. After graduating High School, she received an NCAA scholarship to run cross country and track & field at Augusta University. In her free time, Hickerson enjoys hiking the tallest mountain peaks of each state with her husband and two dogs, training in Olympic Weightlifting, and spending quality time with friends and family.
Education
2012 - 2016: Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology, University of North Georgia, Dahlonega,
Georgia
2022 - 2023: Master’s Degree in Sports Management, American Military University, Charles Town, West Virginia
2025: Airman Leadership School
Assignments
2020 - 2022: Aircrew Flight Equipment Journeyman, 27 SOSS, Cannon Air Force Base, NM
2022 - Present: Aircrew Flight Equipment Journeyman, 1 OSS, Langley Air Force Base,
VA