Tinker Airman fulfills ice dream Published Aug. 14, 2009 By John E. Banks Tinker Public Affairs TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- Some dreams do come true. Just ask Kassandra Riley, who recently fulfilled her dream of playing competitive hockey. The Airman with the 963rd Airborne Air Control Squadron is the first official female full rostered player for the Tinker Assault, Oklahoma City Adult Hockey League. Riley, a lifelong hockey fan since her early childhood days in Pennsylvania, uses every chance she gets to hone her skills on the ice. "My dad always let me skate between the bluelines while his adult team played on Sundays at Penn State University," she said. "I always had the opportunity to get on the ice whether on the local pond or freezing the backyard into an ice rink during the winter months." Though Riley's career in the Air Force has been short, she sees similarities between the Air Force and hockey. "I think the Air Force core values hold me accountable," she said. "I am part of a crew and if I make a mistake, it hinders the rest of my crew doing their jobs. The same is true in hockey." In her first chance at league action on July 26, Riley played numerous shifts on the right wing. "My main goals are to become more confident on the ice while playing with more experienced players," said Riley. She has been welcomed by the rest of the Tinker Hawks hockey club. "We are glad she has come into the fold and look forward to her making a contribution to the Tinker Hockey Club," said James Behn, Tinker Hockey Club general manager. Riley always wanted to play on an organized team. She spent a couple of months talking with some of the current Tinker players before taking the plunge. "The more I am on the ice the more comfortable I am," she said. "I thoroughly enjoy the opportunity playing with this team and representing Tinker."