Living courage: One Airman’s heroism Published Sept. 24, 2025 By Kris Pierce 55th Wing Public Affairs OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. -- The evening of Aug. 6, 2025, began like countless others for Senior Airman Harrison Friar. He was home in Glenwood, Iowa, on parental leave, enjoying precious time with his young family. The sun was dipping low, casting warm light across his quiet neighborhood. Children played outside, neighbors settled in for dinner, and all seemed calm. The calm was soon shattered. The sharp, jarring crack of gunfire cut through the summer air. At first, Harrison thought it might be fireworks, common enough in his community; but as the shots multiplied, louder and closer, instinct told him something was terribly wrong. He stepped outside and was confronted with a sight few could imagine. A neighbor had armed himself and begun firing indiscriminately at homes. Unknown to Harrison at the time, two lives had already been taken and now many more were at risk. Vehicles were riddled with bullet holes. And before long, rounds pierced into Harrison’s own home, his car and even penetrating the walls of his children’s bedroom. The violence had arrived at his doorstep. Caught in that kind of chaos most people would have frozen, some would have fled; but Harison, chose something else. He acted. He rushed to ensure his family’s safety, moving them to a safe spot inside their home. With bullets still flying and his community under attack, he made the decision no Airman expects to face off duty. Retrieving his personal firearm, he stepped outside and walked into the line of fire. The danger was real. The rounds were close. At any moment, his life could have ended. Harrison remained composed, recalling the discipline, focus, and resilience the Air Force had ingrained in him. He steadied himself, identified the threat, and returned two shots. His rounds struck the attacker in the leg, forcing him to retreat. Those few seconds of decisive action changed everything. The lull Harrison created gave responding law enforcement officers the critical time they needed to arrive and contain the situation. Investigators later said his actions prevented additional loss of life, shielding not only neighbors but also the officers themselves from an assailant intent on mass violence. “SrA Friar demonstrated extraordinary mental fortitude and valor in a moment of unimaginable duress,” said Lt. Col. Rosemary Perez-Howell, his squadron commander. “He embodies the noblest traditions of military service: selfless action, courage under fire, and commitment to protecting others.” For Harrison, what he did that night wasn’t about heroism: it was about family. It was about neighbors. And it was about a promise he made when he joined the Air Force: to stand ready, anytime and anywhere. “My father, an Army veteran, told me the best opportunities lay in the Air Force. Learning that some of my relatives served in the Army Air Corps sealed my decision—I wanted to honor their legacy while providing for my family and serving my country”, Senior Airman Friar shared. That legacy carries forward in a way few could have predicted—through an act of selflessness that saved lives and protected a community. Col. Aaron Gray, 55th Wing commander, said Harrison’s actions reveal the character and values the Air Force depends on every day. “SrA Friar’s bravery didn’t just save lives, it exemplified courage in the face of physical danger, which is what we expect of our force,” Gray said. “He was willing to sacrifice his safety for the sake of others. That’s what service is all about.” In this moment, Senior Airman Friar exemplified the values of Integrity First, Service Before Self, and Excellence in All We Do are not just words recited at basic training; they are a way of life. Relentless and Ready – anytime, anywhere.