Hawk Talk: Lessons Learned from a Landmine

In October 2005, U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. David Randolph, 30th Security Forces Squadron senior enlisted leader, then an Airman First Class, was welcomed back to Altus Air Force Base, Okla., by Col. Carlton D. Everhart II, commander of the 97th Air Mobility Wing at the time, along with Airman 1st Class Hector Davalos and Staff Sgt. John Miller of the 97th Security Forces Squadron. The three airmen had just returned from a deployment during Operation IRAQI FREEDOM III, where they survived a convoy explosion caused by a hidden land mine as they convoyed to Mosul, Iraq, June 22, 2005. All three were awarded Purple Hearts for their injuries. Randolph recently shared his story during a Hawk Talk event at Vandenberg Space Force Base, highlighting the resilience of service members and the importance of mental health support. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kristi Machado)