ACC colonel takes on Wheel of Fortune

  • Published
  • By Sachel Seabrook
  • Air Combat Command Public Affairs
LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. --  In her polished service dress, an Air Combat Command colonel proudly represented the Air Force as she spun America's most popular prize wheel with one of her greatest supporters by her side.

Col. Jennifer Kilbourn, Headquarters ACC A7 Chief of Programs Division and her mother Denise Vandermark recently traveled to California to film a special edition of Wheel of Fortune honoring military families.

"The whole experience was surreal," Vandermark said . "It is a memory I wouldn't have wanted to make with anyone else."

Over a decade ago, on a whim, Vandermark gave her daughter a spin-id, a special prize identification number that allows viewers at home to receive the same prizes contestants win on television. For years, Kilbourn didn't give it a second thought, until two months ago when she received an email asking if she'd be interested in being a contestant on the show.

"I thought it was a hoax," Kilbourn said. "But what made the moment even more special, was that my mom was there."

Knowing her mom is a fan of the show, Kilbourn said when it came to choosing a partner, it was a no-brainer.

"My mom has been watching this show for as long as I can remember," she said. "It's my way of saying thanks for being so supportive."

Growing up in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Col. Kilbourn commissioned into the Air Force in 1993. Holding several base and major command positions such as Chief of Maintenance Engineering, Civil Engineer Inspector and Squadron Commander, Kilbourn believes her training as an Airman contributed to her success on the show as a contestant.

"As Airmen, we learn how to plan, strategize and adapt in stressful environments in order to succeed at our mission," she said. "We develop an ability to speak and exude confidence and those are the qualities that helped me."

Kilbourn's mother, who prior to her daughter had no ties to the military, said this experienced opened her up to a new world.

"It was an honor as a mom to see her represent both our family and the Air Force," Vandermark said. "It helped me gain a better perspective of what the military is all about."

Though it was a competition, Kilbourn said it wasn't the members from the other services she was competing against.

"I was competing against the wheel," she said. "It made the experience more enjoyable to know everyone was going to walk away a winner."

Now officially a Wheel of Fortune fan, Kilbourn said not only is she anxious to see the show air, but she realized two important things from this experience.

"The wheel is extremely heavy and it's a lot easier to solve puzzles in my living room."

Though Military Families week on Wheel of Fortune is set to air Nov. 12-16, Kilbourn's show is set to kick off the celebration Nov. 9.

Check your local listings for show times.

Editors note: The prizes won are not donated as previously presented, but kept by participating service members.