150212-F-CJ989-004

by SSgt Kenneth Holston

150212-F-CJ989-004

A U.S. Air Force Combat Control trainee assigned to Operating Location C, 342nd Training Squadron, hangs on to the side of the pool as he catches his breath and readies himself to swim more laps under water during an early morning water circuit training session at Pope Army Airfield, North Carolina, Feb 12, 2015. After the water circuits, students were made to quickly get out of the pool and hustle to the gym for their next training session. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kenny Holston)

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Photographer's Narrative

 

While taking this image, I remember thinking to myself “What drives these Airmen to keep pushing?” This young Airman who was training to be a Combat Controller was extremely fatigued, beat-up and exhausted but no matter what he wouldn’t quit. In fact, he pushed himself harder. As I continued taking images of him it was clear to me that it takes a special breed of human to endure such vigorous demands and to go carry that mindset and heart into combat.