Hawk Talk: Lessons Learned from a Landmine
U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. David A. Randolph, senior enlisted leader of the 30th Security Forces Squadron senior enlisted leader, and his spouse, Felecia, pose with attendees at an Airman’s Space Hawk Talk at Vandenberg Space Force Base, Calif., Aug. 13, 2025. During the event, Randolph shared his experience of surviving a convoy explosion caused by a hidden land mine near Mosul, Iraq, on June 22, 2005, during Operation IRAQI FREEDOM III. Randolph was awarded a Purple Heart for injuries sustained during the attack. While he physically recovered, Randolph endured years of suppressed emotional strain stemming from the incident. He emphasized the importance of resilience among service members and advocated for prioritizing mental health support.