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Tech. Sgt. Michelle Doolittle, a vocalist in the U.S. Air Forces in Europe-Air Forces Africa Band, honors her heritage through music and military service as the great-grandniece of Gen. Jimmy Doolittle, famed for the 1942 Doolittle Raid. At Ramstein AB, Germany, representing U.S. Airmen across Europe, she uses performance to strengthen international ties and preserve World War II history. At the 81st D-Day anniversary on June 7, she returned in uniform (visiting as a spectator in 2023), calling it “truly an honor.” Inspired by her great-granduncle’s legacy and character, she said, “He was setting records and revolutionizing aviation long before World War II made him a household name.” For her, music is more than art—it’s a bridge between past and present, unity and remembrance.
2nd Lt. Wyatt Hendrickson, an Air Force officer and Oklahoma State wrestler, was named the nation’s top college wrestler after winning the 2025 Dan Hodge Trophy. The honor follows his NCAA heavyweight championship win and Big 12 Wrestler of the Year title. Competing through the Department of the Air Force’s World Class Athlete Program, Hendrickson is now training for the 2028 Olympics. “For the next three years, my main job will be representing the Air Force on the wrestling mat,” he said. After the World Class Athlete Program, Hendrickson plans to continue his military career as an acquisitions officer and fulfill his obligation.
Chief Master Mike Kassebaum spent four decades blending martial arts and military values. Now the honorary commander of the 343rd Recruiting Squadron at Offutt Air Force Base, Neb., brings legacy rooted in discipline, mentorship, and service. Kassebaum began training in 1984 and now holds an eight-degree black belt. He owns and operates Kassebaum’s Martial Arts and Krav Maga where he trains students from 3 years to over 70—including Active-duty military members and veterans. His leadership mirrors the Air Force’s core values—integrity, service, and excellence. “Martial arts gave me structure, confidence, and focus,” he said. Through his role, he hopes to support recruiting efforts and help Airmen grow. His story exemplifies the impact of mentorship and commitment to lifelong learning.
Master Sgt. Eric Robbins, a 512th Civil Engineer Squadron Reservist and Philadelphia police officer, was named a Hometown Hero by 6ABC Action News after saving a 5-year-old from a rooftop. Responding to a call in 2024, Robbins acted quickly—racing through an apartment, climbing to the roof, and pulling the nonverbal child to safety who was ‘tippy toes over the edge.’” “I just knew I had to get to the roof,” he said. With 19 years of military service operating heavy equipment and a passion for public safety, Robbins now hopes to join the police SWAT team. The rescue reflects his instinct to act in the face of danger—shaped by decades of service and training.
Members of the Wyoming Air National Guard’s 187th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron helped save a contractor suffering cardiac arrest at McMurdo Station, Antarctica—the first successful evacuation of its kind in more than 35 years. Facing blizzards, subzero temperatures and limited daylight, Maj. Nate Krueger and Master Sgt. Lyndsey Glotfelty led lifesaving efforts across a 2,500-mile airlift to New Zealand. The Temperature was nearly minus-31 degrees Fahrenheit “This was more than a mission—it was a life saved against all odds,” said Brig. Gen. Michelle Mulberry. Their success shows how training, precision, and global partnerships can deliver hope even in the planet’s most unforgiving conditions.
Airman 1st Class Carissa Fisher, 107th Attack Wing, New York Air National Guard, donated part of her liver to save her former preschool student, 5-year-old Ezra Toczek. After seeing a social media post about this urgent need for a transplant, Fisher—who knew her blood type from military service—learned she was a perfect match. Toczek was in end-stage liver failure. The surgery took place in August 2024 and was a success. “Donating part of my liver to Ezra wasn’t just about saving a life. It gave me even deeper purpose,” she said. Fisher’s selfless choice reflects the heart of service: showing up, stepping in, and making a difference beyond expectations.
Staff Sgt. Briana Antoine-Bazan, an information controller with the 62nd Aerial Port Squadron, uses her artistic talent to uplift others across Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash. From designing unit coins to creating custom artwork for pediatric hospital patients—even during her own cancer treatment—Antoine’s creativity brings comfort and connection. “I found something to do that made me happy,” she said, recalling how she painted children’s favorite cartoons to brighten hospital walls. Whether through vibrant portraits or heartfelt designs, Antoine’s work reflects her deep care for those around her. Her art doesn’t just decorate spaces—it strengthens the spirit of the community she serves.
Senior Airman Trevor Thrasher, an aerospace medical technician at Creech Air Force Base, Nev., rescued a drowning teen caught in a rip current in California near his hometown just before leaving for Ranger School. Relying on instinct and former lifeguard training, he kept the swimmer calm until help arrived. Thrasher completed the grueling 62-day Army Ranger School, becoming one of just 355 Airmen to earn the Ranger tab. “The military demands people who rise to the occasion. … Leadership isn’t about how you perform when things are easy,” he said, “but how you hold yourself when everything is hard.” After graduating, he received the Air and Space Achievement Medal.